Anxiety – The Update

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There are a few reasons as to why I wanted to do this update. Firstly, because it’s been a while since I’ve talked about it in depth and my last proper chat about it was in 2012, and as you can imagine, things have moved on since then. Secondly, my anxiety is talked about sometimes in a more traditional media sense and it’s not always factually accurate and quite outdated so I thought it best to come straight from the horse’s mouth (is that the saying?).

Back in 2011 I wrote a post here on my blog all about my anxiety and how it affected my life, in the hope that someone else could find reassurance in my words and that in turn, I could take some comfort in what others had to say too. After such an overwhelming response, I decided a year later to bite the bullet and discuss it on my youtube channel, which at the time had around 700,000 subscribers. I hadn’t seen anyone else talking about their experiences with anxiety openly and although it scared me to do it I wanted to help others and to share my experience. At the time, my anxiety had appeared to have been the same since the age of around 14. I knew it like clockwork. I knew which things to avoid, I knew which situations would set me off and more than anything, I was aware of the things I was missing out on because of it. Missing out on things had become so normal throughout my late teens and early twenties, that I didn’t seem to care anymore. I think this was one of the many reasons I didn’t seek help to begin with. I thought I had it under control by avoiding absolutely everything that would trigger the attacks and anxiety.

As my channel grew in size and new and very exciting things started happening, I became very aware of the fact I was going to be missing out on potentially life-changing opportunities if I carried on living my life in the same way and it bothered me. A LOT. I was meeting a lot of new people who all appeared to have their shizz together and I became so aware of the behaviours I’d installed so deeply into my subconscious mind that I didn’t really know where to start. Why was I settling for this way of living my life and letting anxiety become my main point of call? I started work on my anxiety in 2013. Having lived a very normal life in the countryside, Suddenly I was required to go to meetings in London, meet and work with new people (some of which were celebrities), film videos in front of camera crew (which was a million miles more nerve-wracking than you think having only ever filmed in your bedroom on your own) and suddenly a lot more people were stopping me in the street to say hello and have a photo. Life turned 180 degrees. Everything moved SO QUICKLY. Some weeks I’d feel on top of the world, and other weeks I would be rocking back and fourth in tears on a train on my own on my way to London to film something. Although I never really talked in depth about my anxiety and the rise of my channel at the time, it was something that was extremely challenging to balance. Knowing I could stay at home and not run the risk of a panic attack, or pushing myself because I WANTED TO DO IT. The amount of times I’ve stood outside my own launch events crying and struggling to breathe and not being able to step back inside (let alone other peoples). The torture I’d put myself through trying to sit through my brothers film at his premier, something I wanted so desperately to sit and enjoy with every bone in my body and my mind just wouldn’t let me. The book signings and meet and greets that required all my mental strength to get through without ruining the experience for anyone by me having to run off. Even something as simple as shopping in my local supermarket became something I was nervous to do alone in case someone stopped me for a photo. Suddenly the little things I never had to worry about, were big things and with my channel still growing, I knew these would need to be tackled head on.

Although I never made it aware how bad the bad moments were, around the end of 2014, they were particularly awful and I was done being “Zoella with anxiety”. I started having weekly therapy sessions without fail and decided to learn to manage my anxiety behaviours once and for all. I knew the basics of anxiety, I knew what happened physically, I knew that my mind believed it was in danger but I didn’t know how it had all been set up. I truly believed anxiety was happening TO me like an outside force entering my mind. I was angry at it and I blamed it. The truth is that anxiety is within you. YOU are the one bringing it on even though you might not be fully aware of why. This for me, seemed like common sense but it just hadn’t clicked in this way before. With the help of my therapist, we worked out where the thoughts had been set up. I worked hard week by week to make changes in my behaviours and actions in order to undo all the work I’d done over 10 years to cement my anxiety. I learnt about it in a whole new way and I wanted more than anything for it to work. For me to feel the benefits of not having my anxiety rule 85% of my brain on a daily basis. It’s extremely tiring, having thoughts controlling every aspect of your life. Where you go, what you do, what you eat, who you hang out with and how you get places. It absolutely consumes you in every way possible. Over the past two years, I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve had weeks of being on an anxiety free high, for it to all come crashing down and feel as though I’d made no progress. I knew that therapy was not the quick route, but I was also aware that it was extremely thorough. Pulling off the head of a weed, won’t stop it from re-growing eventually. It also doesn’t mean it won’t come back bigger and more damaging than before. I wanted to tackle the root, and with that, I also acknowledged this was going to be a bit more of a lengthy process. A decade of anxiety is never going to be resolved in the click of a finger. It’s something you have to work bloody hard at. You have to push yourself, you have to know when something is too much and you have to give yourself a massive pat on the back when it’s going right, even when that’s baby steps.

Over the past six months, I’ve seen the most improvement in my anxiety. I always used to throw every unsteady emotion into an anxious state and now I’m able to distinguish the difference. I actually know what being nervous feels like now and I embrace it. I’m able to recognise where nerves don’t need to escalate into anxiety. Where feeling uncomfortable in a situation is just that…it doesn’t have to end in a panic attack. I’m very good at imagining every possible worst outcome of every single situation I live and breathe. After exhausting all the worst outcomes, I soon realise that nothing is ever as bad as I imagine it to be and those fears and scenarios don’t seem to inject the same uneasy feelings as they once did. It’s quite difficult to see changes in your behaviour when it’s happening over a pro-longed amount of time but when I think back to how I was two years ago, I’ve come a hell of a long way. Recently in Edinburgh, very spontaneously we went to see a comedy show in the downstairs of a pub. It’s a situation a few years ago I would have considered “an absolute NO GO” for many reasons. I had my reservations, of course, and using techniques I’ve picked up over the years to manage my mind I sat and watched the show. Half way through, I wasn’t thinking about anxiety anymore and I was laughing and having a good time. We’d already had a really long and jam packed day and two years ago, it would not have had the same outcome. I walked out of the pub and Poppy linked arms with me and simply said “oh my god, can we just talk about how incredible it is that you just did that?”, I smiled SO HARD whilst holding back tears and in that moment I was the happiest person in the whole of Edinburgh. Even typing that has made me well up, just because it was one of those moments where I COULD see how far I’d come, and I felt so proud of myself. I can go days now, where anxiety doesn’t even cross my mind and I had completely forgotten what living like this felt like. My therapist recently asked me what percentage of my daily thoughts are consumed with anxiety. Even a year ago, I would have said at least 50-65% and now it’s more like 15-20%. Close friends and family have also noticed the change in me recently and whenever they stop and tell me how proud they are, it’s worth more than any award or achievement I’ve received in the past 5 years all rolled into one. I’m working my butt off to get to a point in my life where anxiety is not the ruler. I know it may never fully go away, but I’d like it to take a seat and put it’s feet up and I’m happy and confident that at some point in the near future, it will do just that. I know I’ll have moments where it flares up if I’m stressed, tired, ill or there are bigger life changes to adjust to, but weirdly that doesn’t scare me in the same way as it used to.

I honestly do think everyone should see a therapist at some point in their life, as everyone has their demons (yes even that person who you think has their life so in order it makes you sick…even THEY have something that they struggle with). We look after our skin, our hair, we go to the gym, the dentist, we focus on eating the right foods but how often do we spend time looking after the one thing that requires us to fully function in the way we do? I’ve learnt so much about my mind and the way it works in the last two years and it’s truly fascinating and makes such a huge difference.

Nobody should settle with anxiety being a big part of their identity, it isn’t. Anxiety is not your life and it’s not who you are, it’s just a small part of you that doesn’t have to be so loud. Everyone has anxiety in varying levels and some of us are better at it than others. If you have anxiety or any other form of mental health issue, you CAN change how much it affects you. Don’t just settle, take steps to improving your life. It may take time, hard work and dedication but it’s worth it in the end. Also remember that you aren’t alone. You are not the only one on this planet feeling the way you do and although at times it can seem as though nobody understands, yourself included, there will be somebody or something that can help. Ultimately, though, only YOU can make the biggest difference by making that first, and often very terrifying first step. I can’t even express to you in words how happy I am that I decided to make that change.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new” – Socrates

This was such an insightful and inspiring read Zoe! Mental health affects so much of us and most, if not all, of what you said resonated with me. Definitely feeling a little braver and closer to making better decisions for myself after reading that, thank you :) x

You have come so far!! I relate to a lot of this, although obviously everyone’s mental health experiences are very different. I developed anxiety 4 years ago and ended up coming out of school (Year 9) and… didn’t leave the house for the next however many months. I’m not agoraphobic anymore but the anxiety is still a struggle – however, like you, it’s graaadually improving. I’ve had a bunch of treatments but it’s only now that I feel okay with the idea of face-to-face CBT, so that’s my next adventure. Thank you for this update, it’s given me a bit of hope that things will get better and better – for both of us! :) (Also, the bit about panicking outside of your own event. YES! Not that I’ve ever had my own launch event, but the amount of events I should have been excited about and instead I’ve stood outside in the cold for god knows how long, unable to even go in. Sigh.) Anyway, I really appreciated this, thanks again ^-^

Emily

I’m so so soooo proud of you zoe! Reading this made me tear up xx

Carla Menezes

Hey, Zoe! I tried to send this message to your Press Team, but they didn’t answer me back. My name is Carla Menezes, I’m a journalism student from Natal, Brazil, and I’m currently writing my monograph (a non-fiction book for teens) about Anxiety. I’ve been dealing with it since I was fourteen and I got lucky because my mom is a therapist and she understands it, but I have friends that took a lot of time to be diagnosed because their parents thought it was silly, that they would get better quickly.
I had an internship at a local TV channel, producing a morning newscast and I realized during my time there that media (at least here in Brazil) avoids talking about mental issues. That’s why my friends’ parents and a lot of other people have a wrong opinion on the issue. My goal is to write this book about how anxiety works, what can make us feel a little bit better, interview doctors and people that deal with it on a daily basis. I’ve been watching your videos for a long time now and I love how you’re brave to talk about her anxiety on your videos (most people try to hide it) and that sure helps a lot of your viewers back home.
I would love to interview you for my book, do you think this could be possible? I could send the questions through e-mail or we could talk via Skype or Facetime, whatever works better for you! It would be such an honor.

Marijn van Engelen

So great you’re doing this! Hope Zoë or other public figures will respond! Good luck :)

I felt very amazed when I read about your project. I’m from Brasil too , and it’s how you said , it isn’t talked about anxiety in the media , and I only knew it was a serious (mental illness) problem by zoe’s videos.
Good luck !!! And I will save your name .

Carla Menezes

Hey, Raquel! Obrigada, viu? Torce aí pra ela ver minha mensagem :)

Elsie Herber

Girls…good to know you guys are so deeply involved with the anxiety subject. I’m a brazilian psychologist and work specifi ally with this disorder and had myself been through rough times in my youth due to severe panic attack. After my nightmare back then I’e decided to share how I found alone a way out of it and developed a treatment method. And also I wrote a book about it. “Os mitos da ansiedsde e do panico”. Visitem meu blog e minhas redes sociais e estarei a disposicao para ajudar no que for necessario!
Abraco!
Elsie Herber

I’m French and i’d really like to read your book when it will be finished, do you think it will be on sale in France?
I’m suffering anxiety since a year now (since last’s year terrorist attack in Paris) it will be such an honor to help if you need it :)
be stronger than your anxiety, bye ! and good luck with the book :)

What an amazing thing you’ve decided to do. I hope it all goes well and I would love to read your book! I am from Australia and we are very big on mental health issues as we just had mental health week but I think that by you writing this book is going to help a lot of people. Good on you!

Mila S

Such an amazing project🙌🏼 Would be so good if Zoe wrote a book on anxiety too, I think it would help many of us – including me. Anxiety sucks but blogging helps me a lot❤️ Hope you can check out my blog

Hi there. If you haven’t already seen Emily Harts You tube channel then I’d highly recommend as she is very open about anxiety and talks about it in a very funny way. Best of luck with your book and your degree!

Elsie Herber

Girls…good to know you guys are so deeply involved with the anxiety subject. I’m a brazilian psychologist and work specifically with this disorder and had myself been through rough times in my youth due to severe panic attack. After my nightmare back then I’ve decided to share how I found a way out of it and developed a specific treatment method, which is online. And also I wrote a book about it. “Os mitos da ansiedsde e do panico”. Visitem meu blog e minhas redes sociais e estarei a disposicao para ajudar no que for necessario!
Abraco!
Elsie Herber

Totally agree with you! One of my teachers always used to say that if you want to write you should write about the truth and this is why I love Zoe’s posts and specifically this one a lot.

Your blog is amazing by the way, totally going to stick with it.

Here’s my if you would be interested in checking it out❤️
|| plieoutsidethebox.wordpress.com ||

Carla Menezes

Thank you so much! Mental health weeks are really important, but we need to make it a whole year. I had this idea of making a video about my project so maybe Zoe could see it… here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui77p-d4c4M

Mimi Cameron

Thats really good, hopefully it improves!

Carla Menezes

Thank you so much!

Alexandra Viney

That sounds like such a good idea because then you get to use other peoples opinions.

I would love to get your book, it might really help me because I have existential anxiety ❤

Josie

Hi, I’m Josie, I would love your book, I suffer from existential anxiety so your book would be a great help. ❤

LOVE LIFE!

I think that the book is a great idea and it would really help people xx

Em

Hi I’m Emily, 18, and in the U.S. and I though it was interesting that Brazil doesn’t emphasize on anxiety. I think your idea is amazing! I have a low level of anxiety and it pops up every other day or so but I’ve learned how to deal with it. It’s my last year of secondary school and many things have been able to get the best of me. On a bigger level, some of my friends have an anxiety disorder and I see the way it effects them in the day to day process. I’m a little late to the party but I was wondering if you’ve reached Zoe yet? She would be such a great source having experienced anxiety in the way that she has and how much she’s changed over the years. I hope you’ve had the same result as well and good luck with your book. I would really like to read it and maybe share it with my friends. :)

Wow! Zoe! This is amazing! I love you lots and I look up to you for help with my anxiety. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Xoxo,
Zøe

Carmenk

Awwww the Edinburgh part, Edinburgh is magical and it changes things <3 I'm really proud of you as well, you have come an extremely long way!!!!! Very happy for you :)

Isabella courtz

Hello Zoe! I am so glad that you updated this! I have recently been struggling with anxiety and depression and at easter this year I broke down into a suicidal mess. I ended up breaking down in school and fored to see a therapist! And to be fair, I have been going once a month and it hasn’t really helped me. The thing that helped me most was love and trust from my friends and family that I thought never existed!
I would love it if you would check out my blog!

That last quote… wow!
I love reading posts like this, it reminds me that I can achieve my goals despite my own demons! 😘 Xox

Debra-Bow

Oh my god, absolutely loved reading through this beautiful blog post Zoe. I’m so happy and proud to hear how much you’ve come along and how well you are coping with everything. I myself suffer from anxiety too, it started off with analysing every situation possible for events that were happening (e.g. plans wth friends!). I didn’t think it was a bad thing until it grew more and more, right now I’m at my worst and this post has really inspired me to get better again. Thank you.

Found myself in tears at the end of reading this! I’ve left you endless comments, tweets, a letter thanking you, even thanking you in person yet I don’t think any of it could express how grateful I am. As someone else who suffers with anxiety and can relate to this there is nothing more comforting than knowing you’re not alone. You’ve always been the person who makes me feel like it’s okay to talk about it and not be ashamed! I’m so happy for you and how far you’ve come you should be so incredibly proud, lots of love xx

Hannah Sharman

Oh my goodness😭 What a woman! I can relate to everything you have said so much and I’m so happy that people like you, who have a big audience, use it to get across important messages and raise awarness on topics that don’t get the attention they need. I’m so happy for you, that you are finally at a place where you can say that anxiety doesn’t consume your every thought and restrict you from new experiences😊 SO super proud of you! love you Zo❤️

KB 👻🕸

Zoe, thank you for sharing your struggles and your accomplishments with anxiety. I struggle as well, and this is very refreshing and encouraging to read. Much love! xx

Zoé Murail

This is amazing ! It is so comforting to read what you have achieved it proves to everyone that we can beat up these demons ! So proud of you ! <3 Xx

I think my brain is 100% anxiety but I’ll get there 😊 Your so inspiring love you 💗

Judiet Maenhout

thank you so much for sharing this with us! you have helped me so much in the past and this post even gives me more courage to keep working and keep believing that things will improve and that it is possible to control my anxiety! lots of love :*

Aleah

From the bottom of my heart thank you. I really needed this today ❤️

Charlie Sinclair

Hi Zoe. Thank you so much for sharing. My anxiety has been taking a turn for the worst lately so I really needed this to know I am not alone. Your words have really touched me from start to finish of this post and it’s a true inspiration to people like me. Thank you, again x

Marijn van Engelen

Such a coincidence that you post this in the week that I promised my parents that I would make an appointment with the doctor, to finally ask for help with my anxiety. At 22, I’m painfully aware of how much the sentence “Missing out on things had become so normal throughout my late teens and early twenties, that I didn’t seem to care anymore.” describes my life right now. I hope I’ll get to a point where you are right now with your anxiety, and wish you all the best! xx

Loved this post, i loved your honesty and it’s so brilliant you’ve seen a therapist who is helping you cope and find a happy place. I totally agree with your point that everyone can benefit from a therapist at some point.

So happy for you, glad to hear you are feeling better and making a progress:) I don’t know, this kinda made me cry… I really hope reading your story encourages others to seek help too. Therapy can be such an intimidating word… for me it is… Maybe some day I’m ready to take that step… But it helps to hear about these kind of topics more often nowadays, makes the whole mental health thingy more “normal” and less scary I guess:)

alexandra

Thanks a lot for this post, made me see there is a light at the end of the tunnel, so proud of you !!! Love from France!!!

Kirsty Rodda

So happy to hear how well you’re doing, its a massive thing to deal with and i hope one day i can do all the things i want to without anxiety popping its ugly head and spoiling it. Good luck for the future. We are all proud of you 💖

Kim Gillard Pee

Zoe I loved this post! I struggle with anxiety too and before I started college in September I cried before because I was that scared and anxious that I wouldn’t fit in or that the work would be too much, it was really hard at the time. I am now around 4 weeks into college and I am actually loving it. My anxiety has improved a little since my first panic attack in 2013 (London Museum) I speak to new people easier than I could before and I am so happy about that. I have made a bunch of friends which I was shocked about because I was so scared of just being alone. I still can’t do things like get in taxis on my own but i’m getting there. :) I love hearing about your experiences with anxiety (that sounds wrong but you know what I mean) because I don’t feel so alone anymore. <3 <3

I’m soo happy to read this even i don’t have any anxiety and also so proud of you to making people’s life light up!

Anaëlle

Thank you for being so inspiring with those kind of posts. I personnaly can’t relate on the anxiety part but I feel like it works for self-confidence aswell. Thanks for sharing your experience with us, thanks for being you, love xx

Katie [PB]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us, it has helped me realise that I can do things that I want to and i don’t need to let my anxiety get in the way. A HUGE well done for being able to sit through that live show! I know that I probably couldn’t do that, but hopefully I can work towards it and start doing things like that with my friends. Thank you Zoë xxx

Reading this made me cry. I’ve lived with anxiety for the best part of a decade too. This summer I had nothing to do, I had not passed my driving test (due to feeling anxious about it) and my anxiety was at an all time high, I would burst into tears at trivial everyday tasks. However, September I entered my 3rd year of uni, I’m the fashion editor of the uni magazine and it has really helped me improve and try new things! I have a long way to go, but after reading this post I fully believe I can reach a place where anxiety is no longer ME, but just a very small part of me.

Jagoda Pabich

Hey Zoe💕I also suffer with anxiety and few weeks ago I deicided to go on a theraphy and even if it’s about a month I see small changes and it’s amazing. i
It’s all because of you and your vlogs thansk so much i love you💕

Presley Carroll

Hey Zoe! I also have anxiety and didn’t realize it until I watched your YouTube video on it. I grew up with anxiety not realizing that’s what it was and just thought it was normal. I’m 17 years old and as I’ve gotten older it gets worse. More opportunities come up which brings more anxiety. It leaves me feeling overwhelmed and feeling left out because it keeps me from going out. I have a hard time opening up to people about it because it brings up my anxiety and I feel as if no one will understand or be able to help. Ive had only one panic attack and I’m afraid of having more. I hope to be able to open up more to people about it though and be able to control it.

Getting help this Thursday. I run a travel blog so, I need content. How can I travel alone around the world when I can’t even travel in to work at the moment???

Carlota

This post is so inspiring. I am glad you have been improving your anxiety and I´ve literally cried with every single word and achievement you’ve made.

I dont want to bother you, probably nobody will read this comment or maybe someone will at some point. The thing is sometimes therapies don´t help, even trying everything possible never is enough. I am 25 and I am dealing with anxiety, body imagen disorders, low self.esteem since I was 9, and I will tell you one thing nobody knew it. Nobody could imagine how miserable I was.
Everybody thinks i am happy, smiley and that i am perfect and I honestly don´t know how to react compliments (it is crazy, isn´t it? But the reason is because I cannot believe them, my mind doesn´t accept that I can do something good That is why when I said how i was feeling nobody believed me.
I am currentrly quite good and leaving my social enviroment (sorry for my friends), for a while, made me feel better, such as emotional independence ( that make sense?) I hope to come back to UK again and live more than a year because it made me feel like I should feel every single day.

PS: sorry for my english

Donna Gunn

I really enjoyed reading this it’s kinda motivates me to continue with therapy it’s been 6 years of different types of therapy to find the right one for me but DBT is the one I found most helpful it includes mindfulness which had been a life saver really and I say to anyone to just reach out and get help talking really does help and I want to thank all the therapist that do such an amazing job and helping people even though I can take year a good therapist will stick with you through it all.

Honestly Zoe this was so amazing to read. I’ve become more confident talking about my anxiety, but I’ve lost so many friends because of it and it makes me feel really alone. I’m seeing a therapist too and you literally give me hope that things can get better. Thankyou xo

Meg | megangoodier.blogspot.co.uk

Maria Jose

Wow I’m crying, I don’t know if you read this, Zoe thank you very very much for inspire me every day to be a better version of myself, I fight a battle with my mind every single day, I have depression and I know that I need help because I’m really afraid that someday I may lose control, I don’t know how to tell my parents I really don’t want them to feel worry about me, since december i have been suffering from bad crisis sometimes twice a month and I am exahusted, right now has been a month without a single crisis and I’m not feeling my 100% but I am on my 70% and it is awesome, for that reason i want to say THANK YOU! Ever since I watch your videos I decided that I don’t want to live with my demons I want to fight against them. xxx

Gabby

I struggle with depression constantly and anxiety at times and this is so inspiring. To know that things CAN get better. I’ve always been terrified to go to a therapist as I feel there is such a stigma around them but you have made me reconsider it as it is so much better to speak to someone and share how you’re feeling than struggling in silence. Thankyou, Zoe. You are honestly incredible and I am so proud of you.

ellie

i’m so glad you wrote this and are doing so much better, it’s progress that can’t even be fully summarised in words because it’s so much more than just a life improvement. i’m in tears. i’m only 17 but have had anxiety since i was around 11 i believe, but got better and then much worse again at 13/14. the main part of your experience that struck me as so accurate to my own is missing out on enjoying things that you really WANT to enjoy and know you should. i hate that anxiety ruins moments that you are expected/trying to be happy in, not just those that are generally uncomfortable anyway. another thing that got me about this was how anxiety is something we unintentionally reinforce and grow ourselves – with tendencies that only temporarily ease it and make it worse in the long run. thank you so much for sharing this. i don’t give myself credit for battling anxiety and maybe one day i will feel i am able to. <3

Your honesty as a person Zoe is absolutely incredible. This is such an inspirational read and so helpful for anyone experiencing anything similar. You give people so much hope that they can turn it around if they want too. Such a lovely post.http://www.niamhlauralife.weebly.com

Becca Sugg (@bestiezoella) xx

I’m so proud of you Zoe, love you lots xx

Desi

Hey zoe:) I really love to hear that the last two years changed the whole situation and it gives me strength!!!I have anxiety myself and struggle with it on a daily basis. If I’m completely honest I haven’t had the courage to see a therapist. I thought that if I would see one, this would mean i’m not normal! But now I actually consider it! Thank you sooo much!!! I would never have so much courage to speak about it with sooooooo many people listening/reading. You inspire me❤️

Chloe

Although we as viewers obviously don’t know you inside and out 100% a lot of the time we feel like we do know who you are. In seeing how far you’ve come and how much you’ve been able to feel better in yourself makes me feel happy and proud of you as if you were one of my best friends. It must be so overwhelming to have so many people follow your everyday life and to have hardly any privacy. I wish people would respect that you’re just a normal person like the rest of us who sort of fell into fame. You need your private moments just as much as the next person but the fact that you can share this personal matter in the hopes of helping others and to show how far you’ve come in dealing with your anxiety is actually quite inspiring. I have and always will be a massive ‘fan’ ( although I do hate that word hahah) of you. Thank you for all that you give us and for pushing us to better ourselves for ourselves X

Rebecca L

Love this! I’m currently in therapy for my anxiety and it honestly is a huge help, it also makes me happy when my family tell me they are noticing changes in me :) I’m so glad you are feeling more positive about it, it’s really great that you talk about anxiety and mental health.

Gyöngyi Kohut

Zoe, I have been following you on Youtube since the very beginning, you only had a few hundred subscribers at the time I started to follow your channel. This post made me so proud of you. I have probably seen almost all of your videos and have to say, I have realised the change, even through the camera you look more comfortable in social situations and in your own skin. If someone like you, exposed to the public eye so much can work and fight mental issues successfully, I believe we all can. You’ve come far and I am glad I’ve spent my past 5 years watching your videos (and hopefully will spend many more) because you are a true role model!

Shannon Marie

Thankyou for writing this, my mums being telling me for the best part of a year now to go get help with my anxiety and I think i may get round to it soon, thankyou xx

Lauren

All I wanna say is I am so happy how far you’ve come and thanks for writing this ❤️

I doubt anyone will read this, especially Zoe but i just want to say a massive thank you, Zoe, for addressing real life issues such as anxiety and mental health, ive had on and off anxiety/depression for around 2-3 years- although i think it developed a long time before then. Hearing someone else talk about it- especially someone as popular as yourself, really makes it real, and reminds and reassures me that i am never alone. I can never thank you enough for this post, and it has made me realise that i think i am ready to seek help ❤️ Lots of love xx

Amelia Woods

Honestly Zoe that must be an amazing achievement and I am so happy for you!! Knowing that someone else can get through anxiety makes me want to push myself to get through it too. I understand that like you said, it takes baby steps and I know that it doesn’t go straight away obviously but I’m determined. I don’t know about you Zoe but I am fed up of it😂 I am 15 and have been suffering from anxiety for 6 years (so I started when I was 9… I know I was so young). All I would like to ask is do you have any techniques that you use to try and prevent the anxiety in certain situations? It would mean and help so much! I also completely understand if you don’t want to share these techniques but I thought I would ask! By the way, this post has made me feel so happy for you, well done! You must be so proud of yourself! I know i’m so proud of you and if I was you I would literally be crying my eyes out with happiness and proudfulness (if that’s even a word… Which I think it’s not)!
Anyway thank you again for sharing this update, it means a lot!!!!

jasmine

Thank you SO much for making this blog post. I am so proud of you. Fighting your anxiety is hard. Because of you, I made the decision that I needed to do something about my anxiety. I was always so scared when my parents mentioned seeing a therapist. So, like you I avoided anything that would set off my anxiety. But seeing that you had the same problem, and you were able to overcome it, gave me the strength to do it myself. I’ve just stared seeing my therapist, and already I feel more confident. I love you, and keep doing you💗

jenn calderale

you’re such an inspiration. my motto with my anxiety has always been “it’s not who you are. it doesn’t define you. it’s just a small part of your life” and i’m so glad you added that in your post. it’s inspiring to know that there are processes to help with anxiety and you’ve motivated me to include myself in these processes to help myself and my mental state. thank you so much zoe for everything you do not only for your subscribers, but for yourself it shows us how much caring for yourself can impact others around you and you’ve certainly impacted me!! i hope to meet you one day (i also hope you read this comment because that would make my life). anyway i’ll cut this comment now or else it’ll just turn into this super log ramble that no one will want to continue reading, but thank you for all that you do. i love you to the moon and back ❤️️❤️️❤️️

nicola briers

This was so inspirational! one of the best things I have read in a long time and will positively influence so many young people all over the world <3

Romy

I have GAD and though I’ve been seeing a therapist for the past 6 years it still is quite present in my life. I wish I could do the work you’ve done, I seem to get nowhere :(

MaryEllen Tevnan

I’ve always wanted to meet Zoe because she’s always been such an inspiration in my life. I hope someday i can not to take photos or scream at the sight of her, but just to have a chat. I struggle with anxiety too and such reading this blog post right now (especially the last paragraph) has made me smile and even want to cry. This reassures me that I’m not alone. Thanks Zoe! :)

Andrea Ness Hammer

I’m sat here in tears, reading this. I’m truly so proud in how far you’ve come, and you’re an inspiration for people like myself, who’s currently in that place where anxiety makes me run out of lectures at uni, and immediately recline to go out for a drink with friends, or go shopping with my mother, even going for a walk can set me off at the wrong day. But I believe I can get better. Seeing you doing it is really a push forward for me. Thank you for speaking up and dragging this out of the shadows where it absolutely does not belong. It belongs in the light, where it can be seen for what it truly is, only then can people who suffer from it learn how to tackle it.
Big hugs from a tiny, tiny town at the arctic circle.

Dana

Thank you so much for this Zoe! Reading this gives me more belief that it is possible to work on anxiety and see a positive outcome and that it doesn’t need to be something to rule my life forever I don’t want in to be something I just “cope with” by, just as I’m doing now, avoiding situations to avoid feeling anxious and self-conscious etc It only means I miss out on so many memorable events and this in turn feeds into other issues and thoughts I also don’t want my anxiety to be something I’m constantly and mad at and angry at myself for having because as you’ve shown, it doesn’t have to be dealt with at such a high level forever You’re such an inspiration Zoe and I’m so proud of how far you’ve come💗 And you’ve shown me, no matter how long the process, it is important and possible to do something about it Reading this could not have come at a more vital time for me so thank you💗

Melissa

Hi Zoe! I’m 22 and have suffered terribly with anxiety for a long time and never really recognised that it was something I could change. However, it really started taking its toll about 8 months ago and now I’m seeking help through CBT and already starting to feel more in control. I’ve watched your videos for a few years now and they’ve actually become my “go to” comfort videos if I’m ever anxious or feeling panicked and they instantly calm me down. To the point where my family now say “just go and pop a Zoella video on” if they know I’m worked up, because it’s something we all know works! This is just a little thank you really for helping me through the difficult times, even though you didn’t know you’d helped! Don’t underestimate the effect your videos have… they’re helping people a lot more than you might know :) x

Claire

Such a motivating post Zoe! I’ve had an anxiety and bulimia for the past two years and none of my family know about it. I’ve kept it a secret as I feel as I’m just going to burden them and I’m also afraid that they will think I’m weak. I’ve had my whole life turned upside down in the past two years and I’ve also lost my sister. I want to show my family that I’m strong and capable. I thought I was managing it all myself but I’m really not, just reading this has made me realise that I’ve stopped myself from doing all the things that I love to do, I never go out with my friends anymore, school is even getting too much lately. I’ve been wanting to speak to someone for ages but I’m just terrified! After reading your positive outcome from this I want to be healthy again and I want to better myself I want to do all the things I love again! I think you may have convinced me to go and see a therapist! I don’t think Ive ever commented on anyone’s post or anything before in my life as I even feel weird as if someone elses story is worse off than mine but I truly want to say THANK YOU! And I’m so happy that you’ve overcome this! XX

Danielle Knapp

Zoe, you were the one who inspired me to take steps towards overcoming my anxiety and depression. Now, I’ve been on medication for a year and a half and am such a happier and better version of myself. If it wasn’t for you, I’m not sure I ever would’ve taken the steps towards helping myself! Knowing that you, someone I admire so much, has moved forward and improved in your walk with mental illness is incredible. I am so proud of you and I love you! thank you for sharing this with us and helping people like me xx

paddle008

I don’t usually say this, but I feel so proud. :)

Amie

Zoe, no words will every show my appreciation towards your blogs and videos. You have come so far form when you first started writing and vlogging and even though you are still fighting your own battles you also take on yourself to help others with theirs and that’s truly inspiring, I myself am fighting a battle with depressions and anxiety, something I’ve learned to grow up with due to my past but ever since I started reading your blogs/watching your videos, having someone who is seen as an idol in the publics eye, struggling… almost puts life in perspective, no one in this world will ever be 100% perfect and actually it’s our flaws that make up beautiful because without them we’d all be the same and I’ve learnt being different and having something about me that’s not pretty makes me who I am and I’d never want to be anyone else. Every day is a new battle but slowly the battles are becoming less of a fight and more of a conquer and I am so happy with the progress I’ve made since following your advice and you may or may not be reading this but if you are just know that you’ve helped at least one person through a tough journey and I may only be 19 but I’m at a place in life where I thought I’d never get to! So thank you for your words and your constant support and love you give to us, it’s something I’m proud to cherish and keep with me every step of my journey though life! Always here x

Such an amazing and heartfelt post. Really well written. And well done to you for making such amazing progress. It’s hard enough dealing with anxiety without the added spotlight of an audience so I can’t even begin to imagine how tough a journey it has been for you. But it definitely shows that if you can kickstart a change then so can we x

‘Everyone has anxiety in varying levels’ – finally, someone said it! I loved this post Zoe, and I’m so glad that you’re at a point in your life where you can manage the anxiety. I’ve always been a quiet, shy and nervous person, and for a long time I thought I was just very antisocial and a total introvert. The way in which you have openly spoken about anxiety has broadened my mind and allowed me to accept that it is a part of my life. Whilst I haven’t told any friends, I have been seeing a psychologist for around a year now and I have improved so much in how I handle being stressed (especially concerning school). I still struggle with going out and try to avoid social situations, but I know one day I’ll be able to do it – you have proved this! You are truly an inspiration, but not only that, you are a friend, a sister, a role model, and I can’t thank you enough for being there for us all, even when you don’t know it. I’m incredibly proud of you Zoe.
Love, Sarah. xxx

So proud of you Zoe! You are doing so amazing and this update is exactly what I needed to read. Hearing about how you have improved is the motivation I need to start trying to deal with my anxiety too. I wrote a post on world mental health day if anyone is interested in reading it :)https://findyourflair.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/world-mental-health-day/
-Nicole

Literally welling up reading this. Just THANK YOU- for speaking out and being so incredibly kind and unapologetic and sincere in all your words. It’s been an honour following you on this journey, always will be. From one anxiety-recoverer to another; I am so so so proud xxx

I got to the second paragraph and literally burst into tears, you are so inspiring to me and I’m so happy you’re doing so much better. I received CBT for most of this year and I’ve noticed a real change, I now feel like I can do things again that were as you put it a ‘no go’ and that’s the ultimate feeling, I haven’t felt this amazing in years and reading this post just adds to my positivity about living along with anxiety and learning to get to know the differences, I think that’s so important. I’m so happy for you and so, so inspired.

I could write an essay about how much this has helped me, but as someone who has only experienced anxiety for the past 5 months, you’ve just made me realize so many things about how my brain works. I hadn’t even thought that I could be nervous or uncomfortable without having an anxiety attack. You talked about digging up a decade-long root, and I can’t begin to describe how much you’ve thwarted the growth of mine. I’m so unbelievably happy that you are feeling better, and I know that I will too. I will never accept anxiety as part of my life, and I thank you so so so much for that. Infinite love, Bri ❤️

Shamiqua B

You are so brave! I love your post and videos! I like how honest your are! Don’t ever give up! Lots of love! :)

Elizabeth Meakin

I’ve struggled with anorexia for 4 years and everytime I make a step towards recovery I always get dragged back in. Right now I’m on the brink of relapsing, but this has really inspired me to keep fighting. I am not the anorexic girl, it does not define me and it will not win 💖

You have the best attitude! Issues of mental health shouldn’t be taboo, there should be no stigma attached to it because it will stop people from seeking the help they need! You are making it more acceptable and acknowledged in day to day life! Well done on your massive achievements in managing your anxiety! x

I just wrote something last night on anxiety and how I’ve been dealing with it… how I’ve realized just what it was that I’ve been dealing with and never truly knowing until I saw the video you made back in 2012. I believe I watched it right in the beginning of 2013 for the first time. It really helped me to understand what anxiety is and notice that I am not the only one who has felt it or delt with it. It was incredibly comforting to know that you of all people (one of my favorite you-tubers, if not my absolute favorite) knows what I have gone through in a sense.

I felt relief. But it is something I haven’t discussed until recently because I have been so afraid of how people may perceive me or how I may feel in the end, but it is something I need to accept and work to change.

While I have worked on changing it and making progress, I know that a big factor in making improvements is talking about it and I’m trying my best now more than ever because it’s gotten quite bad in recent events.

Two nights ago I found myself watching the first video you made on anxiety once again, and I also read your blog post. I have to say that they have really helped me, and whenever I come across someone on the internet or simply someone who isn’t too sure of what’s happening to a friend they know or themselves– I say go watch this YouTuber Zoella’s video (as well as a few others) because I find that yours is truly the best at explaining what it is and how to cope with it in a sense.

I’m only 20 (turning it on Thursday anyhow) and I believe I have had it since I was 14 or 15. Although, it honestly may have been even earlier at the age of 12. It’s weird to think about, to wonder what the reason is that I can’t push myself to do more with other people because of some invisible factor causing fear inside me… it’s harder to acknowledge it when one has waited so long to truly accept it and go from there. It is something I have tried to keep hidden in fear it would burden other stuff around me, although I realized now more than ever that not speaking about it, Is what has made more setbacks for me.

Thank you so much for speaking up about it. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you enough for helping me to feel less alone and figure out the basis of the feelings I’ve had. 💖

Bronwyn Gunn

im so proud of you zoe, that you have come this far.I also suffer from anxiety and it’s refreshing to know that life can get better and that my anxiety will not control my life forever.Thank you for sharing your experience with anxiety it has helped many people suffering from anxiety . xxx

Weirdo_alert_57

Zoë, can i just say how incredibly proud i am of you. Reading this has made me tear up. I have seen you grow since 3 million subscribers. After almost 4 years of watching you, I am more than proud to call you my idol. You are a much happier person not and I can not put in words How insanely happy that makes me. I am going through a difficult time right not and you alone make me feel 10 times better then anyone. You are so open about your anxiety and I love that I don’t feel so alone. Thank you for helping and inspiring me and millions of others. I am do very proud of you Zoë. Sincerely, Amy 💕

River Strong

Zoe you are such an inspiration I have anxiety and I have always looked up to you.

Katie

Zoe, this is so incredibly brave and moving. I haven’t personally suffered from anxiety but I have several friends who do and now I feel like I can better understand what they’re going through. I’m a psychology major and I’m hoping to help people with all kinds of mental illnesses in the future! Thank you for being such an inspiration and for sharing your struggle xx

I feel like whenever you get the chance to have a real in depth conversation with someone they usually can relate to anxiety in their own way. We all have our own demons that we battle with and they come in many different shapes. I have a list of my own “can’t do thats” because the situations make me anxious. Cant eat in a restaurant at a table in the middle of the room, I always have to be in a booth or at the bar so it’s not so formal. Flying on a plane causes my entire body to become covered in red welted hives so I always have to fly with my shih tzu “Booger” in my lap so I can squeeze him the entire flight. I have claustrophobia so even getting my nails done or standing in line for groceries can sometimes make me feel locked in and I start to get nervous that I will have a panic attack. I used to work myself up so much that I would pass out completely, going down like a tree. I have also battled this since I was a kid and am now in my 30’s. I will say it is less intense and I almost never think about it. I still have moments where I get a sudden wave of anxiety but it goes away quicker and I have to tell myself to relax, it’s not the end of the world, roll my eyes at myself for being so silly about something so mundane and keep it moving. I also quit drinking so I think that helps. I started drinking initially when I was really young, all to cover up my anxiety. It helped me become social when naturally I am an introvert. It helped me be outgoing and friendly when I was otherwise an artsy-fartsy homebody by nature. But I was just covering it up not fixing it and soon the alcohol became the cause of my anxiety later in life. It wasn’t “fixing” anything it was the problem and I wasted years of ignoring it when I should have been addressing the real issue. So I stopped relying on wine and am working on me. I just lost a friend to depression and anxiety and wish he knew it is never as bad as it seems and is never enough to end your own life. It is such a major issue so many of us face at some point in our lives and it takes some brass ones to vocalize it and ask for help. I think speaking openly about it is one of the greatest healers of fear. I applaud you for helping others with sharing your experience and hope that anyone who deals with it knows that they are never alone and should never hesitate to reach out and talk it out with someone. Love to all, you are awesome Zoe! XOXO ~

Nicole

Thank you so much for writing and sharing this. Reading this post, there were several moments when I found myself saying, “Oh my gosh, that’s like me too!” A lot of us know that we’re not the only ones in the world that have anxiety, depression, etc. but I think there’s still a sense of “alone-ness” that many of us feel.

I’m currently 23 and have dealt with anxiety most of my life as well. I’ve found that over the years, my anxiety has risen and I’ve become more introverted as a result. I absolutely hate it–the crying, the breakdowns, the failed relationships, and the judgmental looks from people who don’t get why hanging out in a group of more than a few unfamiliar faces intensifies my social anxiety and makes me feel suffocated. Last year, I had to move out on my own for work from the small town I grew up in of 2,000 people to a city of 8 million strangers. It’s been a really difficult adjustment and I don’t think I’ll ever feel at home and comfortable here, but I’m trying to make the best of it and not let my anxiety stop me from going outside and experiencing all the great things the city has to offer.

Moving forward, I can only hope I can come to the realizations and make all the progress that you have so far.

You should indeed be proud of yourself; of how fare you’ve gotten and for sharing your struggles and achievements!

Emily

I’m extremely proud of you, Zoe!! I’m so glad you have come this far in the course of five years. You have helped so many teenagers and young adults (including myself) help get through rough patches in our life, you are a true inspiration to everyone. We are all so proud of you and how much you have been able to conquer anxiety and mental illness. Love from America xx

Sierra Harkess

Zoe,

6 years ago my anxiety was bad enough that it was diagnosable. Now, I am able to perform spoken words in front of a crowd without freezing. There are still a lot of times that I have to say “nope can’t do that” but I’m getting there. A lot of it is because of your videos and hearing about your own battle. Thank you for your openness and bravery. You are truly an ins

I’ve been having panic attacks, too, ever since I graduated college. But at least I have it under control now. Life really is messed up at times but don’t worry, you will always find a way to find that bright light. ^_^ xx

I have anxiety attacks often and it’s nice to know that other people experience the same thing that happens to me; and that if they can find ways to resolve it, then I can too.

Annabel Hutchens

I cannot begin to describe to you how much of an inspiration you are to not only me, but to everyone of us. This honestly made me cry..but not in a bad way. It’s just so many things have been going on in my life right now, yet you always seem to make me smile. I’m able to carry on just knowing that you are there to inspire everyone around you. It’s crazy how someone I’ve never met has made such an impact on my life.
I’ve been dealing with a stomach problem for as long as I can remember. It’s where I have more acid in my stomach for it to handle, causing it to burn the lining of my stomach and come up my throat. (Sorry if this is gross) It’s like constantly feeling like your going to throw up. For me, it’s probably one of the worst things because I am extremely afraid of throwing up. I know it sounds stupid, but it’s just me. I hyperventilate and freak out when it gets bad, and I know its nothing compared to other more serious cases, but for me it’s everything. It actually made my parents and I grow farther apart because they grew so mad at me for complaining or getting scared constantly. They used to threaten me by saying that they “were going to take me to a therapist,” and for some reason at that time, it seemed like the worst thing for me. I just have such a hard time opening up, that something like going to a therapist seemed crazy. But for some reason, after hearing how much it helped you, I feel like I should give it a chance. It might help and I really want to try. Thank you so much for showing me to give it a chance. I don’t know if you will ever see this but thank you. I mean it in every way. <3

Claire Louise Hedley

Hi zoe, I’ve just recently started to have anxiety, it frustrates me so much because eventhough I’ve had a lot happen over the years I’ve managed to deal with it and don’t understand why I’ve all of a sudden got anxiety. Especially when I have to work and just started university, it affects me in a very negative way. I have been to see my doctor who recommended talking to a councillor so I’m now waiting to have two different types of therapy. One I’m not really looking forward to as it consists of raking up the past. I’m currently trying to deal with a panick attack right now whilst typing this, but I just wanted to say that this has helped so much and made me feel so comfortable that I’m not the only one going through anxiety. When I have a panick attack it feels almost like if I go back to sleep I won’t wake up, most of my panick attacks happen during the night and it scares me so much. I tried to ignore it for ages because I thought that if I actually physically told someone that I thought I was going to die that they’d think I was mental but reading this has made me realise that it’s not stupid and it is okay to get help and not have to deal with it on my own, so thankyou xx

April Chapman (aprilinwinter)

I’m bookmarking this so whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious, I can read it and find the motivation and strength to overcome it. You are amazing!

I LOVED THIS! you may never read this, but honestly I loved this. I honestly almost cried reading about the part at the comedy club. Well done Zoe :) It’s true everyone has their demons. I have had my own battle with anxiety and it’s not fun, You’re a huge inspiration and I hope one day your 15-20% is like 1-5% or even 0% :)
x Kenzie // Kenzieblogslife.blogspot.com

Thank you for sharing!
I’m attending university right now to pursue my dreams of being a nurse. I can say that you expressing yourself clearly really helps us who don’t experience Anxiety ourselves. I hope that when I have my first patient that has anxiety that I can understand them without making their panic attack worse. I look forward to learning more about mental illness and how to work on my own mental health more on a daily basis.

Hi Zoe! I reading this has even eased my anxiety! I’ve been a highly anxious person ever since I could remember, only I didn’t realise (nor did my family) that’s what it was and I could never understand why I would react the way I did in certain situations. It was only when I started highschool that I heard the word ‘anxiety’ and that’s when I realised that I was just weird or not normal. It used to be so bad I could hardly step outside in fear that someone would talk to me or I’d do something or anything. I’m in year 12 now and I see a psychologist for several reasons, but one thing I’ve been working on is my anxiety and I agree with 100% that seeing someone works. Of course my anxiety hasn’t disappeared but it’s definitely much better than it was.

Dear Zoe,
Thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that people are feeling these same feelings, and that we’re not alone. It’s so great to hear that you are doing so well, and that it is possible to manage anxiety. It’s funny because I remember watching your Edinbrugh vlog, and feeling so proud and inspired that you were able to be in that environment that could be incredibly anxiety inducing. I just want you to know that although I only know the little piece of you that you share online, I did notice that moment of success. Thank you again for opening up, and know that it means more than you could ever know.
Love Always, Alexandra

Aditi Mahadware

Same! Even I love the fairy lights… so cute!! <3

elysianandcynosure.wordpress.com

Jacqueline Anne Thompson

i thought that she was going to discuss why she hasnt upoaded on a sunday in like two months. i love zoella, but i dont understand why she is doing so badly at being on time. i mean, once in a while is okay. and sometimes on twitter she would say, “hey, my life has been really busy this weekend, im gonna post my video on monday or tuesday this week, is that okay? ” and at the time i would say totally girl, do what you gotta do. but this has been happening every week for the past couple of months and i am honestly really irritated about it. but i love zoe and her videos, so i will never stop watching her videos and i wont stop supporting her. im just annoyed

Katy Linkman

Maybe you don’t know quite how busy they are until your in that situation, it might seem like they miss deadlines a lot to you but really it’s just the acassional weekend

paddle008

She clearly isn’t sticking with Sunday’s at this time, so they’re not really “late”. Less pressure for her as well.

Yvette

This blogpost made me tear up… You are such a strong woman, by showing us your weaknesses. I am so proud of you Zoe! So very proud. I can’t even expres it.

Georgina Marmoy

This is so brave and amazing. I am suffering at the moment and posts like this need to be shared to help everyone- thank you so much for sharing this, you are going to help a lot of people and you it’s comforting to know people are going through the same thing. xxx

This post is so uplifting, wow Zoe that’s amazing how far You’ve come, its so helpful to talk about mental health for people who have or know someone in a similar situation, but it’s also so helpful for someone like me who has never really been exposed to it as I don’t know any one with major problems (obviously we all have smaller mental health issues) but it’s great to understand what it is and some of the affects it can have so if I ever do come across any one who needs help in this area I know what to do and how they might be feeling. I love u sossososos much Zoe and ur my biggest role model as your so brave to talk in depth about something that is (or was 😉) so scary, I really hope u manager to take that 15-20% right down to 5% as no one deserves to struggle with mental health xxxx

Emily

This helped me so much Zoe! I’m so so proud of you & how far you’ve came it’s amazing, you’re such an inspiration to young girls like myself and I’m truly greatful for that ❤️Love you Zoe xoxo

Emily H

Zoe, I loved this blog , as a 14 year old with really bad anxiety it’s good to know that eventually it does get better. I don’t really go out anymore and If I plan things with friends I usually cancel at the last second due to anxiety.
Thankyou so much Emily xxxxxxxxx

Eleanor Coxhill

Your anxiety journey has really helped me, I’ve seen a rapid change in my anxiety and that’s thanks to you. The relaxation videos and the anxiety videos have really helped me and I’m honestly so thankful. You’re amazing! Good luck with your anxiety, I’m sure one day it will be so minimal you won’t even realise it’s there. I love you so much Zoe❤️

Aarushi Kakwani

This motivated me so much. I can’t even tell you how much this post has effected me. Thankyou so much Zoe, you’re the best role model and a person. Also, I’m very proud of you! All the love as always xx

Leona

Beautifully written. I couldn’t agree more, we don’t need to suffer, with the right support we can get to a place where we are in control of our mental health rather than our mental ill health controlling us. Please seek support if you need it. If you don’t feel you can go and see a therapist please check out my YouTube channel mental health with Leona. I’m a certified therapist making mental health videos. They’re no replacement for therapy but I hope they can help with coping strategies. Thank you again Zoe for raising so much awareness. Xxx

Lucy

That was beautiful Zoe! Your are such an inspiration to me and I have so much love and respect for you. You are the bravest person I know and deserve everything you have and more. Keep it up, we all love you so much! x

Wow, Zoë. I think this post is your best blog post to date. I have no words. Just thank you for making this post. I can relate to most of the things you’ve mentioned in it. Thank you for being such a big inspiration to me.

I always love your honesty Zoe! When I read ‘even that person who you think has their life so in order in makes you SICK’ it rang so true with me! I am constanly comparing myself to people I know and it drives me crazy how I always just assume they’re ‘nailing’ life! Most likely NOT the case! Thanks Zoe!

Hannah x

Thebritishrose.co.uk

Zubeyde I

This is amazing Zoe ❤️ You’re such an inspirational person! Sending lots of hugs xx

Thank you for writing this Zoe, not only does it shut people up who hate on you for not attending events but it helps people like me who can really relate. I’m a blogger too with terrible anxiety, so much so it lead me to dropping out of university – with my blog I’m getting invitations to events and my anxiety is sometimes getting in the way. Reading your post has made me have a more positive outlook on the situation, hopefully one day I won’t have to deal with this! I hope you continue to improve, you’re my inspiration. – Maria | http://www.mariaj.co.uk

This post made me well up! It honestly is making me want to face my anxiety head on because I’m fed up of it dictating my life!
I love you Zoe and follow you religiously, thank you for being like an amazing big sister!!

I think its so nice that you are able to start doing things which your anxiety would previously not allowed. It gives people hope that they can overcome their demons too. I suffered from awful anxiety too, and I also went to see a therapist and it helped me so much, more that I could have even imagined it would.

Really thoughtful and beautifully written post Zoe – you’re an inspiration to so many of us. Thank you for sharing and updating us on tackling anxiety :)
– Ambar xhttp://www.herlittleloves.co.uk

Tamicah

I’m so proud of you Zoe! Reading this made me teary eyed.. As someone with anxiety, I know the struggles of it all and how hard little things to someone else can be huge to us. Thank you for talking about this and spreading awareness. I too hope that I can feel better with my anxiety and one day, I will control it and not the other way around. This is by far my favourite post you have posted on here and I’m so happy for you Zoe for facing your anxiety and making me wanting to face mine. Thank you for being an amazing person and a HUGE inspiration for me. xx

Such an inspiring post Zoe, I remember your video and how much I related to it, so its good to see someone who has pushed through! xhttp://www.flareaforte.com

Andrea Macian

I’m honestly so proud of you! Even though I don’t have anxiety I’m a really nervous person and I can relate to some things you’ve said. I also tend to imagine the worst scenarios and they never turn up like I pictured. Your video Just Say Yes really helped me to make some difficult choices and I will never be able to thank you enough. You are an inspiration to me and to so many more people. Thank you so much!!!
-Andrea

Nicole Wareing

This post actually made me cry never felt so happy and pleased to feel so normalised by someone else words. I’m 18 and watch all your videos especially your anxiety one over and over again. I get teased for fan hurling over you and that should grow up but in relate all I want is friend I like you , I watch your videos and I’ve never felt more like someone in my life I read your blog. I just wish I had people like you in my life that got my feeling because I don’t my friends leave and I spend all my time on my own & it hurts but watching your YouTube always cheers me up. Thank you for being my friend even though you have no clue who I am. Hehe xxxx

Zoe, I’m so so SO happy for the change you made. I literary had tears in my eyes from reading this and understanding how happy you are. You sure have helped me by writing this post and the older post. Thank you so much for everything you do. You’re truly an inspiration for me. <3

Melissa

Hi Zoe ! I really enjoy reading your posts . I don’t have anxiety that much but I have panic attacks and it really annoys me . I could not go in places where there are a lot of people and sometimes these panic attacks were so strong that I just couldn’t move and the thing is that I have asthma.Not really helpful either ! For example 2 years ago I went Christmas shopping with my mom and I cried there because there were too many people. It is now not as strong as before because I think that I’m growing up and feeling a bit more comfident but it still bothers me sometimes and these posts and videos that you post on YouTube about anxiety and panic attacks really does help me to get better . Thank you for that you are an amazing woman NEVER forget that .I’m really proud of you . Love you loads

Around Colours

Zoe, I can’t even explain how much you have helped me with my anxiety. I didn’t even know that anxiety was a thing until you mentioned it. I’ve always thought I was a very anxious person, ever since I was a little child but because I always lived like that I never thought I was different, I thought everyone had the same level of anxiety that I did, they were just really good at masking it. And even after hearing you talk about it, I didn’t think I had a problem. But one day I had a terrible anxiety attack and ended up in the hospital. After taking medication the doctor sat me down, alone, and told me “You have a serious problem and you need to work on it” and that’s when I realised I had anxiety. That’s when I realised not everyone had the same level of anxiety that I did. That’s when I realised that my life needed a change and that I needed help. You Zoe have helped me figure out more about myself and my anxiety and it’s only been 3 years since that terrible anxiety attack but I feel like I’m so much better. I’m so much more confident, relaxed, and not so worried. Anxiety is a tricky thing but it’s only tricky if we let it. :)

(english isn’t my first language so if I said something wrong or if I didn’t explain myself well, I apologize and please reply to this comment correcting me)

Dear Zoe,
I’m so happy reading this blogpost right now. It’s one of your best blogposts ever! I noticed the change in you recently (in your videos). I know your videos are just a small part of your day andwe do not get to see all of you, but you seem a little bit different…happier, more relaxed, more free, more sociable.

I do not know you by person, but I’m proud of you… and I believe sharing your expirieces will help a lot of people. Thank you for being such a big inspiration to loooooots and to me.

XX Sarah

Paige Green

Your post has help my friend with anxiety

Melishiaa C

Zoe this is he best post I have ever read from you like no word of a lie it’s my favourite!! I’ve been watching you since the middle of 2014 when my anxiety was at its strongest point and you helped me through it and I wish I could do the same for you!! But with your helpful tips in your videos and especially your winding down video you have just uploaded have helped me in many ways! I’m not “cured” from my anxiety but you have helped me every step of the way from sharing your experiences and I’m so proud of you for that!! You also inspired me to create my own blog to release my own thoughts and feelings instead so I can again help other people or to gain advice. I am so proud of you Zoe!! You have come so far! (If you would like to check out my blog too it’s melishiascorner.wordpress.com)
keep fighting through it lovely you deserve your happiness and relaxation xxx

Shauna Meredith

I absolutely loved this post Zoe! I related to it so much after having suffered from anxiety for so many years, and happily I’m seeing progress in myself also. I’m doing stuff I would never have done a few years ago, I’m jumping out of a plane at 12,000ft on Sunday, and I would of never of even been able to sign up to doing that without having a panic attack, but now I’m actually doing the real deal! It’s so nice having little congrats off friends and family too as it motivates you to become the best version of yourself possible! And it’s so nice seeing your progress, you are doing so well, you should be proud of yourself. x

This was amazing to read. When you’re living with anxiety you usually are constantly conscious of it, and once you get to a point where you’re no obsessing over the thoughts of dread so much, it really feels like you’re winning the battle.
Great read! xx

im so so so proud of you zoë! i had to grab a packet to tissues, i got quite emotional! i think i speak for everyone when i say that we have seen such a positive change in you. im currently taking the same path as you and im also proud of how much ive improved. it takes such a long time but its so worth it, i think we can agree on that! keep doing what youre doing zoë, sending so much love x

Kelsey Ann Yoki

You are inspiring me to take my anxiety into my own hands and get back into therapy more consistently. Your story is one I am so glad is being told because it will have the power to help more people than we can even fathom. I hope in our lifetime we are able to see the stigma behind mental health and therapy be dissolved. That alone will have the power to forever change our societies and worlds in ways we so need.

Great topic. Its always good to raise awareness of these subjects as some are too worried about what others will think

Abigail

Heyy, Zoe. I’m so proud of you for all that you have achieved. You are such an inspiration. And such a lovely, beautiful young woman and I’m so happy that you have found a place where you can be yourself and enjoy life to the fullest. And I’m so happy for you Zoe because you are capable of soo many amazing things and watching you complete things successfully is just awsome.. congratulations Zoe xxx All best. Abi 😎

I am so so pleased to hear that you are making so much progress with your anxiety! You have achieved so much and I hope you’re ridiculously proud of yourself right now. You are an inspiration to so many people and I hope that your influence will help to further widen the discussion of such an important topic and destroy the stigma around mental illness. xx

tynnikablogs.blogspot.com.au

ellyn

i don’t struggle with anxiety nearly as much as you (i praise you and and respect you for being able to deal with it) but as you said, it does effect everybody. my anxiety has been more prominent lately because starting college (the whole process went tits up) it wasn’t a college i planned to go to and i started just over a week late as i was away on holiday. just in general it wasn’t a good start to the next chapter in my life but reading this has put everything back into perspective! you’ve made me realise that anxiety doesn’t control me and it’s helped a lot! i no longer let it get in the way of what i want to do (most of the time) and i have you to thank for that zoe! you’ve helped me so much over the past
couple of years with dealing with everything and i just wanted to say thank you ❤️❤️

Molly Rose

Zoe! you inspire me so much. as somebody who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks it’s so uplifting and inspiring to hear your empowering and motivational words . I’ve watched you since you first started, you have come such along way and you have improved so much! Everything you do Zoe makes me smile and happy. Zoella beauty helps me unwind and destress ; i can’t thank you enough for that. Thank you for being an incredible person! keep on smiling xx

Wow Zoe, this was really powerful to read! As someone who lives behind their anxiety I too is trying to kick anxieties butt! It’s amazing how well you’ve done and how far you’ve come, it’s genuinely so straining living in an anxious frame of mind 24/7, I’m glad you broke free of it!

First off this is the first of your blog posts i have ever read. I absolutely love your YouTube channel and your books! But I do have to say i will continue to read your blog posts! I loved this post! And I really feel for you and am proud that you have gotten to a place you are happy with :D x

miriam verkerk – a little twin

I don’t know if i have anxiety. Somettimes i feel like it is upcoming and i don’t know what to do.

Leanne Marshall

Anxiety Is an absolute bitch. I have to deal with it from time to time and only a select number of friends and family members really understand what its like. Sounds like you are really getting to the bottom of it! Well done.

I have read some of the Comments people put on the Daily mail articles – These people tend to be very narrow minded individuals. Try not to take any notice (I know that is easier said than done)

Well done again.

Leanne | lemblog.co.uk

Adoreanimals 4life

Zoe i jus want to say im genuinely so happy and proud of you! I was literally smiling as i was reading this blog and i was like “im just so happy for her!”literally i cant explain my happiness, i know you dont know me at all but i jus am so proud and happy for you! Love you Zoe!!

Dear Zoella, Zoe, I am honestly so proud of you. This coming from a person who is also struggling with anxiety and from a very proud subscriber. I have been here since the very beginning and I must say you really have been working your but off to overcome your fears and anxiety. I mean you are stronger now and that makes me honestly so happy. Girl you got it! I look up to you, I hope that one day I will be able to say ‘I overcame anxiety and I am now fully living my life how I want to live’. I am working on my panic attacks too, but sometimes I can’t help it. I also shed a few tears because this post is so inspiring. I love you so much Zoe, eventhough I have never met you. You are such a big inspiration to me, I will say this a 1000 times. I always read your posts and watch your videos, you always make me smile and make my day. I am so proud of you Zoe, so so so proud. I love you <3

Gavi

Thank you so so so much Zoe. Reading this feels good, and even more if you also have anxiety… Yes, I also have anxiety bc of school and other things in my life and knowing that I´m not the only one with this feelings is good. You have made me cry with this post. It´s beautiful and really brave from your part for sharing this part of yourself with us :´) I´m so proud of you and of what you´ve achieved. You are an amazing person and such and inspiration for millions and millions of ppl. Remember we´ll be always there for you like you are always there for us. I love you Zoe.

Well written Zoe and thanks for speaking so openly about your battle with Anxiety I am sure it will help lots of other people come forward and ask for help. I am glad you now feel better and accepting anxiety it is part of a winning strategy.

The problem is most people are genuinely scared to raise their head about the fence in case they are singled out as being the week one. This is not the case at all they are the brave ones.

Remember – Weakness is not admitting you need help – Strength is learning how to accept it.

I am a Personal Development & Stress Management Consultant I am offering a free & 7 Day Stress Challenge if anyone is interested.

Hopefully, it will help people see where they need to make changes in their lives.

SuzyQ

Hi Stress Girl I have just signed up for thr 7 days stress challenge, do I just fill it in each day

Hi SuzyQ, glad you have downloaded it. Yes just fill it in each day during the day and at the end of 7 days hopefully you will see where you need to make the changes. you can always contact me through my website. Good luck!

SuzyQ

Thanks

Maaaliiinnnnn

I’m so proud of you ❤

Vanessa Batchelor

Thanks for writing this, I find it truly inspirational. I’ve had anxiety for as long as I can remember, I used to have panic attacks on/after school trips in primary school! It’s increased in severity over the years and seems to come and go every 6 months or so at the moment. I’ve had therapy several times, but it only seems to work for so long, I’m battling maybe 20ish years of anxiety, I guess I thought after a year of therapy I was just stuck with it, and a lot of the time that I’m just being weak and should just be able to control it! You’ve really inspired me to seek further help, and that I can overcome this :) Thankyou! xxx

Katharina Platte

I love this! Thank you so much :)

Zee

You are so amazing. Thank you so much for writing this and bringing awareness to a mental health issue that affects so many of us. Anxiety is so sneaky yet all-consuming and it distorts your sense of reality and makes you believe everything boils down to those feelings and that every situation is so much worse than it actually is. As someone who has been struggling with anxiety for a long time, this is incredibly inspiring and really makes me want to push through and maybe one day get to a point where anxiety isn’t controlling my every thought and action. I’m not there yet but I’m not losing hope. It may sound silly but I’m so proud of you and I’m really happy that you’re making so much progress with your anxiety. Thank you Zoe, you are helping more people than you can possibly imagine. ♡

Rebecca Walpole

Thank you Zoe!
I’m a year younger with you and have also suffered with anxiety almost my entire life! I think my anxiety is fuelled by the phobia of being ill. Actually I do not think, I know. I very much need to see a therapist but never have the motivation to actually see it through.
This is something I need to do and thank you for giving me some confidence to go and do it (:
Becka @becksey

Nancy Dan

I grew up with a sister who would have attacks for no reason at all.
Watching your videos and reading this I recognize it as
anxiety. She’s been in and out of doctors trying to diagnose phantom
health issues. He told her to quit her job at one point. Her form of
anxiety messes up her insides (throwing up, diarrhea). Her younger son
has the same problem. Neither recognize it for what it is. I don’t
know what to say to her as I’m afraid it will set her off. How do you
‘suggest’ anxiety to a person with severe anxiety?

Layla

Can I just say I looove this so much?!! U are such an inspiration!! ♥ ♥ ♥ keep going! :) I really Really hope u could see my comment…

Froyo

When she wrote about what Poppie said I thought she was going to write, and in that moment I felt infinite. 😂😂

Clara

Very proud of you Zoë!<3

Lauren Stanton

Hiya Zoe!
I’ve been waiting for this update for ages and I am so happy it has finally come. I struggle with anxiety and depression, a lot. It really gets in my way. However, your guts to face your anxiety has inspired me to beat mine. I am so proud of how far you’ve come and I am looking to the future. Thank you so much for being you! <3
Lauren. xx
laurelella.blogspot.com

Glad to hear this update, I’ve sometimes wondered how you deal with situations now (given the way you and your life ‘escalated’! Is that the right word?) after reading your post all those years ago. I think anyone NOT suffering from anxiety, would find themselves nervous and anxious in similar situations, so I can only imagine how you felt. I don’t suffer from anxiety, but I’ve been seeing a clinical psychologist this year, which I was totally dubious about, because my health condition is physical (ME/CFS) and I just couldn’t see how talking about it was going to magic up some energy, take away the pain or cure me. However, I’ve been finding it really helpful, just having another perspective looking in on it and being able to talk about things and learning meditation. It hasn’t cured me, but I knew that from the get-go. For you, I guess you just have to keep doing what you’re doing, you’re right, it’ll always be there somewhere, but what a significant improvement over the years. I hope it continues, well done x

Ida Gustafsson

This is so inspirational, wow.
I’ve just asked for help with my anxiety, and got diagnosed.
This post truly is a big motivation to me. Thank you for sharing this Zoe :)

Zoel Hernández

WOW! This is probably the best post you have ever written. I must say that I have never suffered anxiety but I know some close people that have. It is a problem that we all sometimes forget to talk about and I think talking about it is good for the person who is suffering it! I am so glad you have improved in this, I have also noticed it although I only see a few minutes of your life. Hopefully I’ll meet you in the future because I would like to congratulate you in person for such an incredible achievement and thank you for helping so many other people. I love you and I am so proud of you Zoë x

Zoel Hernández | zoelhernandez.wordpress.com

Heidi Jones

Hi Zoe,
I really just wanted to say a massive thank you to you. I have suffered with anxiety for so many years and it wasn’t until I started watching you videos I realised what was going on and that other people felt the same. last year I let it completely ruin my first year at uni. I did nothing I met people I loved but couldn’t leave the house to see them I avoided so many things that would have been an amazing experience.
Two weeks ago the guy who I have an ‘it’s complicated’ type thing going on finally convinced me to go get help, I was reluctant at first but after we’d discussed the change we’d seen in you I realised it was what I needed to do. Obviously it’s only been 2 weeks so there’s been no significant change in my behaviour but I already feel like I can talk to people about it and I’ve managed to fill my housemates in on what’s happening.
So again Zoe thank you so much and know that I am so super proud of you ❤️

Adelaid

Hey Zoe, I know you probably won’t read this but I guess it’s worth putting it out there for everyone. I’m in the same boat as you. I’ve always been an anxious kid (since before I was born apparently), especially around germs and sickness. But, Since I was around 11 I’ve had specific phobia and generalised anxiety disorder. The specific phobia is emetophobia – The fear of vomitting (which I know you have mentioned before). Although throughout the last 10 years I’ve been to a psychologist, the problem would stick around. Yes i dealt with it, but really I think I just started to avoid it. For years I avoided it, the only times I would be anxious was when I felt nauseous, someone else did, someone vomited or the mention of it. It never really consumed my thoughts until 2 years ago when my boyfriend threw up in my car. My world came crashing down and the 8 years of holding it in and keeping it together I lost it. Everything made me anxious, even just a pain in my shoulder, or something It would start panicking which would make me feel sick and the cycle would continue!! I thought I was find, if i avoid everything that made me anxious I would be okay, but that just didn’t really work. The problem was, whenever I was fine i felt great, I didn’t really believe it was a big problem or that it was impeding on my life (until now). Eventually my friends and family told me to go back to a psychologist after about 4-5 years, and it was going well but I was still not seeing the results I wanted, she also recommended going on anti anxiety meds which I was NOT interested in. Mum and Dad thought maybe it was time to hit the hard doctors and go to the psychiatrist (In australia it costs more but a lot is covered by the healthcare system). Over the years I had done, meditation courses, psychologists, doctors, hypnotherapy (that was actually amazing), and online courses, but this psychiatrist changed my life. No drugs, just graduated exposure therapy (which I’ve now been doing for a year), which involves doing small tasks everyday to test myself and put my self in “imaginary” risk. I think it’s amazing, agreeing with you, my anxiety consumed my thoughts and behaviour and really held me back, but now i’ve gone from 70-85% of my thoughts 6 months ago, to about 20-40%. WHICH IS AMAZING! My boyfriend has noticed the most and he loves how he doesn’t have to deal with my stressing all the time (it’s improved us so much). A lot of people I know now have problems with anxiety and I try to explain to them how amazing it is when you actually go get help but a lot of them don’t do it (I keep trying). Thank you for being there throughout the times where I couldn’t sleep because I was so nervous and I would just watch your vlogs to calm down. You’re amazing and keep being the strong and anxiety-reduced Zoe. I’m right here following the same path. xx

Hi Zoe! I just want to thank you for inspiring me to pursue Youtube.
Ive suffered with anxiety for years but really badly especially over the past year since starting uni and it got to the point where i was sat crying my eyes out last night.
That girl isnt me.. and i dont want to be like that…!
I can relate to this post 10000% and im so glad youre feeling fab. Im going to start tackling it more proactively and i hope i can have a similar story to you :) You are such a strong role model for us to all look up too.

P.s if youre reading this theres a picture of me on your Zoella apartment board hehe. Even that took a lot of mental strength to go to but it was so worth it :)
Love Naomi xx

Naomi, you and Zoe are seriously like my FAVORITE youtubers. I suffer with anxiety too and I’m only 13. My best friends and I laugh about everything and they just dont understand. They tell me to “stop being so serious” or “what the hell sarah, thats way too depressing” but they seriously have no idea. I basically LIVE in my bedroom on my laptop and I really want to do something about it. Do you have any advice for me? Because I don’t know what to do?

Love
Sarah-Louise
xxxxx

Sarah ♛

hey sarah! I feel the same too. sadly i dont even have a best friends, i have friends who i thought could help m ebut now i realize that one of the main reasons of my anxiety are them. i cant go a day without crying. and especially when you have parents who are educated with the littlest amount of knowledge on anxiety its so hard.

Janneke

I feel the same with my panic attacks. It just doesn’t feel like me, but for some stupid reason it is. It feels so silly to cry your eyes out about something small that EVERYONE has to deal with and seems to deal with, except for me. My panicattacks often get worse when I realise it doesn’t feel like I’m me anymore. I just hate feeling this way.

Jenna Cowell

I really love watching your videos ! 💕

Chantal

I’m so happy that you’ve come so far with dealing with your anxiety issues. I can definitely relate to some of the things you’ve mentioned, I definitely have social anxiety for sure which is such a pain to deal with and sometimes I get quite anxious while travelling too, but hopefully down the line things will eventually improve x

Hiya, your anxiety can fully go away. It shouldn’t be a constant battle. You are doing amazingly well. Imagine how much easier everything could be if you weren’t battling your subconscious all the time. Have a watch of my TED talk to understand where the anxiety comes from and then maybe get in touch. I can help. It only takes 2-3 sessions and you can be free of it for life. You don’t have to stay on top of it or go to therapy every week. There is an easier way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv543zNEvGE

You can check out my website at http://www.thinkitchangeit.com if you want to learn more or hear from other people I’ve helped or even go to my FB @Dawnatthinkitchangeit

I’d love to help you be free of this.

Thomas

Hey Zoe, about 2 years ago i was in a car crash although my physical injury weren’t that bad (broken leg and a few cuts and bruises) the mental injury were worse. I had my first panic attack that day i didn’t know what it was at the time but they become a regular thing. I was 23 then and from what i had read online that was pretty old to start with panic attacks and anxiety anyway after about 6 months of keeping it a secret i finally told my mother what i had been going through and it felt like 50% of the anxiety and panic went then it was a relief to talk about it and realise i wasn’t going insane. My younger cousin told me to watch your video’s on anxiety and panic attacks and that really helped, After about a year the panic attacks stopped but the anxiety was still a daily struggle although it did ease a bit with time. 6 months ago i decided to see about therapy i went along to my doctor and got a referral for CBT therapy as i didn’t really want to go down the medication route, it wasn’t until about 7 or 8 sessions in that i noticed a difference i was more confident again not totally rid of anxiety but not a daily struggle either some days it wouldn’t even cross my mind skip forward a few months and i feel 90% back to my old self things i wouldn’t of done this time last year go on the motorway, get on a plane, go to a concert i’m doing now! Sadly i had a fall last month and re broke my leg and had to have it operated on but this time i handled it so well, so well in fact my family and friends are all shocked i can’t walk or leave the house until mid November but i can’t wait to get back out there (and back to therapy lol) So i just want to say thanks for highlighting the issues around mental health you might not realise but helped me and im sure a lot of others out there. xoxo

Georgie

I hope you’re ok now- stay strong :)

proud directioner

This was so beautifully written Zoë! I am so proud and happy to see how far you’ve come and i hope anxiety will stop hunting me one day

Jenni

Not sure if you will read this but I just had to comment for the first time ever. I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since I was a kid. But when I was 22 in the beginning of 2013, it suddenly got horrible after years of it going so well. I couldn’t go to school or even to the grocery store, everything made me so anxious. I remember thinking that I would never live a normal life again. That I would always be the “insane” one.

I was really into youtube but didn’t really watch your videos. One day your anxiety video popped up as a suggestion. My heart started pounding and I couldn’t breathe just because I saw the word anxiety. I quickly closed my laptop and thought I would never watch that kind of horrible videos about anxiety.

But it wouldn’t leave my mind, and I’m glad it didn’t. So after a few hours I watched your anxiety video and say yes to things video. And it changed my life. Something completely clicked and I realised I couldn’t let anxiety run my life. That was when I started to slowly get better and become braver.

I’m not saying it was easy or that it happened over night. It took courage and everything I had. But now, three years later I feel amazing and I hardly ever get anxious. The last time was probably months ago. And when those thoughts start to come, I can control them. At the moment I’m about to graduate and I work at a bank as a service advisor. I never would have thought this would be even possible three years ago. So thank you for speaking up. I wish you all the best, don’t let anxiety ruin any more opportunities for you.

Love,

Jenni

Sophie May

Zoe you are so inspirational!! I suffer from anxiety when I go out in public places, I know exactly what its like! Having someone like you telling me youre exactly the same and youre showing me things can be better is amazing!! Sending so much love!! xx

coffeeandcoatsblog.wordpress.com

Chloe Wilding

wow this made me cry❤❤ im so proud f you zoe well done and keep achieving the goals in life you deserve❤❤ Be gentle with your self your doing the best you can😍❤

Every day I am more inspired and encouraged by people like Zoe who choose to speak honestly. I’ve never been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder but I have experienced panic attacks and I can’t imagine how exhausting it must be to have to deal with them on a daily (if not hourly) basis. Kudos to you Zoe, and all the rest of you who risk vulnerability and speak your truth. I run a nonprofit organization for teens and young adults to help them live more transparently, which means to tell your truth, not your business. I recognize how freeing it is to first be able to identify the issues you’re dealing with and masking and then to be bold enough to be vocal about them and seek help to resolve them. Just like Zoe mentioned, you have to get to the root of an issue in order to resolve it.

Growing up I learned from seeing adults ignore and suppress their issues. I’d watch my parents and others just sweep their problems under the rug, just to see them now, years later have to deal with the effects of that as those issues pop up and negatively impact other areas of their lives. I don’t want that for any young person, whether I know you or not. I hope this blog post by Zoe and these comments will inspire you to take as much control of your life as you can, and to disallow thoughts to run your life. Instead, lead your life; and may you find peace and true happiness so that you never have to fake happy, again.

Lia

LacotaJaguar

Hi Zoe, I totally loved this post. I have been dealing with depression and anxiety for over 5 years now. I even had some point when it got really dark, but luckely I’ve got help now. I am now already with my 2nd psycologist because the first one wasn’t working. A few months ago I also started to get panic attacks. Like you said, talking to a therapist or psycologist really helps. So for other people out there maybe give it a try. Zoe, I find you really amazing that you can talk so openly about your anxiety and your books, where anxiety is also a big subject, are also amazing! So just keep going the way you are, you have helped so much people dealing with their problems and finding out they’ve really got problems. You have really helped me dealing with my depression with your videos and post’s and I hope you can help more people who are dealing with the same problems. Thank you so much and ilysm. <3

Alejandra

I AM truly proud of you ! Everynight I prayed for you to feel better and that change is happening . I know I don’t know you well enough but in recent vlogs I can see the change . You are wonderfull , and if you got this problem at the begging was for you to move on and come stronger and inspire all these young and adult people to overcome their fear . There are no words to express how proud I am for you ! ❤️

Savannah Forest

Bloody amazing post Zoë! You can tell this 100% came from the depths of your heart and is going to help/inspire so many people, myself included, to go and help themselves and others with mental illnesses. This is my absolute favorite post of yours and I’m incredibly proud of you and all you have accomplished. Great job Zoe, you’re doing amazing things 💙

Makayla Ferfecki

Zoe, this made me cry. So many people reading this are changed in some way. Thank you!

Jindi Joosten

Ahw Zoe! I’m so proud of you. I’ve been following you for the past 2,5 years and your vlogs are my favourites out there (and I watch a LOT of different ones). I know it must sound weird from someone that doesn’t know you personally, but I’m just so happy for you! You are a wonderful and genuine person and that shows through in your blog and videos. I wish you all the good, luck and love in the world! xxxx

Natalie Natalia

Zoe, you help me mentally, seriously. Yes, i have something like dejection, depression, it’s not very huge, but it is still in me. I am stresfull person, i feel very bad when i can’t control my brain, i am depressed of little things which i need to forget, but i can’t. I often feel lonely and bad inside when i am introverted. I was in the psychologist, but it didn’t help me. (need more time…)
I’m happy for you, that you destroy your fear, so proud of you Zoe! I wish, that i’ll be strong like you. I wish, that all people will be strong because it happens to so many persons. Thank you for being here! :-) Love you so much,
xx
(btw sorry for my english) – Natalie from Poland –
nastolatka-marzycielka.blogspot.com

Emily

Hey zoe,
I am struggeling with anxiety aswell. If somebody walks behinde me for moe than 10 meters I get really paniced.
I am wan’t to try to go to a self-defense group that I fell more self.
A nother Problem that I had was that I had really bad anxiety about Overnighting at a other place than home and I even had to get pickt up from my class Trip two years ago.
After the class trip (I coulden’t ovenight a single night) I overnightet at a lot off friends till I was able to overnight where ever I wan’t when ever I wan’t.
And it worked! I still have a little bit anxiety when I am overnighting at other places but it is much better than it was bevor.

Emily Doyle

Hey Zoe! This genuinely made me cry. You are genuinely such an inspiring person and I want to thank you so much for being one of my biggest inspirations xx

Hi Zoe! I’ve been battling anxiety and depression for the past 14 years, and I just want to say thank you for continuing to share your story and the things you’ve learned along the way. It’s very helpful, and so inspiring to me. I allowed myself to get stuck in a job that I hated and caused my anxiety to flair up so badly that I was having panic attacks on a weekly, sometimes daily basis. I didn’t think I could work anywhere else, and I needed to live. But over the past year, I’ve been working hard to make changes in my life to make me happier, and this summer I decided to take a chance and apply for a new job as a chance to start over and get a job that I actually love. I didn’t think I would get the job after my interview as my anxiety was so bad that day that it took everything in me to not run out of there because I felt on the verge of having a panic attack. But as luck would have it, I ended up getting the job and a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders. I finally feel like things are going in the right direction, and I’m doing that! I’m making those changes to better my life, and it feels amazing and I never thought I could do that. I can’t tell you how much you’ve inspired me over the past few years to take these chances and make these changes. Reading your blogs and watching your channels have really helped me, and I can’t thank you enough for that!!

Such a beautiful and well-written post Zoe. And as someone who has followed you for years and years I must say I am so proud of you for how you have ‘worked’ on yourself when it comes to anxiety. (Although… is it weird to be proud of someone you don’t really know?!) I personally believe, as you, that everyone should see a therapist at some point because they are truly very, very valuable. I too have had anxiety, not in the same way as you – it’s been different but therapy really helped me too. Anyway, have a nice evening/day if you get to read this :)

x
LeahSephira

Jessica PEOPLE

Hello Zoe,

I writing this to let you know that you are amazing and an inspiration to so many people; including me. I look up to you as a role model, someone who can talk so openly about there mental health, someone who shares such personal details and shares their story, you are so brave. Your’s and Alfie’s (pointlessblog) videos help me so much to switch off and its like the give me a break from my own life; i battle with anxiety and depression after being heavily bullied throughout my time at secondary school, the transition from school to college was tough and college was incredibly tough with me seeming to have a panic attack everyday, falling behind on work while juggling pretending to be someone im not in fear of judgement and getting bullied again – so i quit college after 2 years. Lack of understanding from my parents, feeling like a failure due to quitting college and leaving secondary school with 1 GCSE and losing my friend to suicide back in 2014. I am currently in therapy like you, and i am working hard to get through all of my emotions, to understand myself better and to better accept what i have been through and learn how to move on.

You have really really helped me, continue being you because you are amazing – Love Jessica xxx

Hey Zoe, I have anxiety and I’ve always looked up to you because you know what’s it’s like. I am so proud of how far you come :). Every time I watch your videos or read your blog, it brings a smile to my face because your a inspiration. I’ve now come to the conclusion that if you managed to make a difference then so can I. I want to say a MASSIVE thank you for sharing your anxiety issues. I understand it was probably difficult because it’s such a personal thing to talk about but it made me realize that I am not alone. I’m looking forward to see all of your achievements in the future. Love you lots and I hope I will meet you some day!! x

Nana

Hi Zoe! I am so happy that you made this blog post it makes me so happy to hear that you’re doing so well. Lately I have been worrying about you and how you might be feeling about your insides lately I have been worrying about you and how you might be feeling about your anxiety. You had me in tears when I heard about the situation back in Edinburgh I love that the people you love have been telling you how proud they are and since I love you and you’re such a big inspiration to me I wanted to tell you that I am so proud and happy that you have been making this change and it has finally been paying off.

And I may not be such a big part of your life as you are in mine but every time I watch your videos and read your blog Post and watch your Instagram’s I just feel so motivated to do the things that I love and dream so big that it makes me scared that I might not make them come true because I see you and all the things that you have achieved and how happy you are and how you’ve made it through so much that it makes me feel like I can do anything so thank you for that.

I hope you keep improving and making your dreams come, true lots of love from a Venezuelan living in New York❤️

This is beautifully written! I can agree with you so so so much. I’ve never really dealt with anxiety for a long period of time, but I’ve have experience a panic attack. It was so incredibly scary that I thought I was for sure going to die, or at least have a terrible disease. For about 6 months I had these panic attacks, I was scared to do things on my own, and I didn’t even go on a vacation. That was the point for me that it was enough. I didn’t want to let my thoughts control me. So, I went to a therapist as well and she helped me very much. I as well have learned to control my thoughts. She also helped me with thinking positive thoughts. I was always the person to see the glass as half empty instead of half full. She made me write down 1 positive thing I did that day for a couple of weeks and it really helped.
I am so glad you are doing better! I hope you can continue on this path. Keep on going :)
Love, Emma

Literally so inspiring! I am so happy for you that you have made this progress and are so determined to continue it in such a positive way. Can I just say that everything you do is absolutely amazing and coming home and watching a video of yours just completely makes me feel better and motivated. You stood and still stand strong and I think that everyone is feeling and knowing that that it is beaming out of you. I love you and continue being you! An amazing person! XXX

Valerie Marie Rutherford

This is a really great post. I’m so glad to hear that anxiety is no longer ruling your life as much as it used to and that you’ve taken great steps towards taking care of your mental health. I, too, think that therapy can be an amazing tool that most people would benefit a lot from. However, I feel like in a couple of spots you almost sound like you’re blaming people for letting anxiety take over their lives? I actually do identify with my anxiety, and while it is not all of me, it is a large part of who I am. I’ve had anxiety – particularly Social Anxiety – as far back as I can remember, so it’s pretty hard not to identify with it. And also, not everyone is as strong as you are or wants the same things as you do. I don’t have it in me to fight to be normal, and I no longer even want that. I’d be happy just to have a small, peaceful life with someone I really love. But after 11 years of therapy, even that still seems hard to picture sometimes.
I don’t know. Please don’t take this as me trying to tear you down or anything. I’m glad that you’re willing to be open about yourself and your journey, and I know you are an inspiration to many people. I do think if someone feels like anxiety is holding them back from being happy, they should work towards finding ways to manage it better. I just don’t want people to feel even worse if they can’t, or aren’t ready to, take a stand against anxiety. Sometimes it’s that fighting to be normal – and blaming yourself when you can’t – that actually takes all the life out of you.

shannon omalley

Loved this post Zoe! You are so inspiring to many people, and as a student mental health nurse I think it is so important to raise awareness of mental health to show people they are not alone.
I am currently struggling with anxiety, but have not seen a therapist before. I loved how you mentioned that we don’t tend to look after our minds as much as other parts of our bodies! I completely agree!
I am so happy for you for how far you’ve come. Thank you for speaking out and raising awareness.
I hope when I am a qualified mental health nurse to influence and help people as much as you do, without even meeting them. Again, you’re an inspiration.
Love Shannon xxxxx

I am so proud of you for doing such an amazing update on this Zoe <3
Btw, I cannot believe that you quoted socrates at the end of your post because I did that in an important post for me last year as well, it was a different change but it is such a strong and very true quote, I love that one.

I hope you will continue improving on this and you should be very proud of yourself.

Love, Marlinde

Kt

Hi Zoe. This post has had a massive impact on me. I’m struggling myself at the moment and this has really helped.

spøøky nabss 🎃🍂

I’m so proud of you Zoe!! It took a lot of hard work to finally be where you are now- and i’m so so glad everything is looking up rn :) you’re such an inspiring role model for me personally, it goes to show that my anxiety DOES NOT define me like I thought it would 💙

Zoe, I love that you’re using your voice and your platforms to talk
about something that many people deal with in silence. I’ve dealt with
social anxiety for most of my life and just accepted it, thinking that
was the only way I could live my life – it’s just not true. Anxiety is a trap that you set for yourself. I’ve taken up meditation and therapy, and my life is changing because of it. To do what you have done (become so successful so quickly, which I can’t even begin to imagine) and to have done it while dealing with this, is really incredible! You deserve to feel proud, and I hope you continue to enjoy your life by doing things you never thought you could. I’m looking forward to the next anxiety related post in a few years (or maybe in a few months, who knows?) about how you completely overcome all of your biggest fears and anxieties :-)

CuteSalad

Hi Zoe! This post was truly one of my faves! Inspiring, helpful and it makes me think I can do it knowing how far you’ve come. And I’d like to thank you as you have helped keep my anxiety at a manageable level these past few months as they’ve been truly crap, thank you Zoe! You are my inspiration x

Cara

Zoe, I’m so proud of you, watching you have come this far from your past is amazing! I myself don’t suffer from anxiety, but my aunt does, and I will definitely show her this; you are incredible! Love you so much and you constantly inspire me. XXX

I honestly cant explain to you how good your posts about anxiety make me feel. I’m 17 years old and I’ve been having anger problems for as long as I remember, only around 2 years ago I started actually having anger attacks, and a year later came anxiety, not as severe as yours is but its still there and the amount of breaks down Ive had throughout this period is uncountable. Lately it’s been so much better than the past year but I still fear why and when it could happen. Ive thought a lot about seeing a therapist but I can’t even tell me parents because Im sure they wouldnt really understand, the whole concept of mental illness doesnt really catch their attention, and even if it does, I don’t think im really ready to tell.

Rachel

Hi Zoe I just wanted to say your blog is amazing and it has helped me so much. And I also love your YouTube channel I have been watching it ever since you started it and I was only little then , I have growen up and it feels like you have been a big sister to me .. and hopefully one day I will get to met you , love you so much and keep doing what you are doing ❤️

Erica

Zoe, I am incredibly proud of you❤❤ This post is amazing and I am really, really happy for your improvement. Love you!❤

MaryEllen Tevnan

Hey Zoe! I’m so proud of you for doing this. You’ve always been an inspiration in my life. I hope someday I can meet you, just to chat or something. I have anxiety too and this really helped me know that there are tons of other people like mw who struggle with this and are working hard to overcome it. Anyways, love you!!!!! XOXO

Hailee

I can’t explain how thankful I am that you take the time to write down your experience and thoughts towards anxiety and counseling. I feel the exact same way! After dealing with anxiety for 13 years, I have been seeing a therapist for the past two and a half years and it’s helped me SO MUCH. My life is so much healthier, and it has opened up so many doors for me to confidently walk through, even though I still have my off weeks. It is so nice to have someone express these thoughts and feelings in a way that so many can learn from. So thank you for writing your words down that I couldn’t piece together myself. You are such a joy to hear and learn from. It’s nice to know there are others walking the same path. I’ll be cheering you on as you continue to learn and overcome anxiety. You got this! :) (Also I attached a picture of some fall trees near my university, just for the heck of it!) 🙈

Hey Zoe, I just wanted to thank you. For speaking up about your anxiety over 3 years ago now, that really kick started my own fight with anxiety. Even though it sounds crazy, from what you’ve said here, I’ve had a very similar journey, and over the past 3-4 months I have found my anxiety to be have much a slim part of my life now, I have also been able to fight my dyslexia and OCD. That is all because of what you said in your anxiety video in 2012. So thank you so much, and I am so happy that you are enjoying life so much more now too. xx

The White Diary

This post is so warm(ly) written and everyone can feel this warm beautiful feeling after reading! Thank you Zozeebo<3

Rebecca Lyon

hey Zoe, just wanted to let you know that you are so incredibly inspiring to me! I’d love to contact you in someway about starting/pursuing a career on youtube! I’m nervous about being judged etc. but would like to maybe start once i am older?
thank you for inspiring me daily! x

Cali

Thank you! You should know that you are the person who, three years ago when I was lost in a depression helped me out. You made me realize what my panic-attacks were, that I wasn´t crazy or even dying which I though at some point. I couldn´t talk about it outloud and I couldn´t explain it, I didn´t know how or what was even wrong. But then I started googling(probs not a word)and found you. You described everything I was feeling so accuratly and suddnly I lookad at your videos and I realizad “That´s whatI have!”. So instead of me telling my parents what was wrong with me, I pointed at you on the screen and you did. I have gotten amazing help now, I changed my education and altough my anxety and panicattacks sometimes come back, I can now leave the house to meet people, I can talk about it, I have switched my education to something I actually enjoy, it was a huge step for me. I am no longer in a depression. And you were the one who helped me realize I wasn´t crazy. I actully cried when I read the part about you in Edinburgh, it made me realize how far we have come. Thank you
/Cali, Sweden

Siobhan Pickering

Thanks for sharing this Zoe :)

Marco DP

She is actually helping us.

Ivory & Raine

This really struck a chord with me. Such phenomenal writing. I was in tears by the end. It helps so much to know that other people have been and are going through this too.

“Poppy linked arms with me and simply said ‘oh my god, can we just talk about how incredible it is that you just did that?'” Even I welled up just reading that bit.

I have no idea if you read all your comments, but in case you do I wanted to leave just one more.

Since you posted that video on YouTube, left right and center people have been coming forward explaining their own issues with anxiety, so much that viewers accuse them of “copying” you almost every single time they do. I don’t think they’re copying you – I think they’ve always had these anxieties and your first step made it okay – neigh even desirable – for them to come forward with their own anxiety. What was hard for you was like an exhale of relief for absolutely everyone who watched your vlog who was dealing with anxiety at the time. It was like permission to speak about a problem that so many of us have had for so long, but thought we’d have to hold our breath and carry on in silence forever before that strange moment in YouTube history where the internet came together instead of tearing into you for “begging for attention” as any rational person would expect the internet would have done.

I’d like to thank you for making that first step. I don’t think you fully understand how much you’ve influenced the way anxiety and mental health issues are spoken about on the internet. And you can argue that someone else could’ve done it, it didn’t have to be you, and indeed that’s true. If you hadn’t spoken up about anxiety, someone else with a huge audience and visibility may have done it later on and sparked the very same sort of conversation, but that could’ve been years away from when you did it, and we’d all have been holding our breath for that first “it’s okay to talk about it” until then. So thanks.

While the media may spin things the wrong way – I’m glad they’re at least talking about it. The more they talk about it, the more those who have issues will look into things, finding it social acceptable to talk about their issues and find solutions to them. So while the media may do damage when they don’t tell your story the right way, I think the coverage is ultimately good even if it’s not all that accurate, because at least it brings awareness about the fact that anxiety is more prevalent than most of us think, and that people are now talking about it more than they used to, which I feel will eventually lead to more people getting the help they need.

Good luck on your journey. Your transformation is evident, not only to your family & close friends, but it’s also very obvious to those who watch your vlogs. You’ve grown a lot as a person, and while it may sound weird to hear you’re #goals and a role model, you actually are – not because you’re perfect, but because you’re willing to share your imperfections and how hard it is to struggle to improve your life, yet how worth it it is in the end.

Whitney Odeh

Hey! I was wondering if anyone could check out my blog for me and give me a little feedback. https://beautyblogrx.blogspot.co.uk/ If you comment your link on my most recent post I would be happy to check out your blog too.

Nedika Art

Zoella It is so hard. But you can do it! We don’t know each other, but I’m looking your vlogs and I have a feeling that I know you as a friend. It’s so funny. I’m proud of you!
Zoe tell me, can you recommend some BOOK to enlighten your mind. Which will help steer the brain properly. I hope you understand me.
Love <3 xo

MBF

It was so nice to read. I’m 18 and i suffer from anxiety. At times I dont feel .like going out anyhwere with my friends or family, they think I’m lazy but it is anxiety that doesn’t let me do anything. Feels good to know that i am not alone and I can get over this.

LailaBelabes

❤❤zoe

lauras life

I just read this and I was honestly nearly in tears at the end. I too suffer from anxiety and its great to see someone else’s story. Thank you Zoe x

Nienke

Hi Zoe! Thank you for writing this. I’am struggling with mutiple things lately. And you saying it has become better for you, gave me some motivation. Thank you!

Nienke

And that bit about Poppy and you made me smile!

Tara

Hey Zoe! I am 14 and I’ve been suffering from a severe anxiety disorder for about 3-4 yrs now. Your story has inspired and given me hope throughout all my worst times and especially today. For the past week I haven’t been able to leave the house without wanting to be sick because my anxiety has been so debilitating. Even though I’ve been going to therapy and doing all I can nothing seems to be working and I felt helpless and alone. But this post has not only brought me to tears but instilled a newfound hope inside me as you always do. So thank you so much. I have a fashion show tonight and I was terrified of going. This post changed my mind and I no longer feel alone. I don’t think I can thank you enough. X

Thank you for this post Zoe. This really gave me confidence that I can get better with my depression and anxiety. I am seeing a therapist for the first time this week and I am very nervous but oddly happy because I am sick of feeling the way I do and letting my mind control every aspect of my life! I am so happy to see and read how far you have came. And to know that I am not alone. Thank you <3 x

Thank you for this post Zoe. This really gave me confidence that I can get better with my depression and anxiety. I am seeing a therapist for the first time this week and I am very nervous but oddly happy because I am sick of feeling the way I do and letting my mind control every aspect of my life! I am so happy to see and read how far you have came. And to know that I am not alone. Thank you <3 x

MariaMag Veny

You just left me without words. I have to tell you that you are so brave to talk about anxiety in this way, I saw your video about it (the one you posted some years ago) and I was shocked because I suffer it to. I’m REALLY pround of you, and I hope you keep improving to control it. All my love 💕

Selen

You’ve said amazingly Zoë!! It’s soooo inspiring and such a positive message to everyone who has some issues like this. Perfect job like always❤️❤️

Amazing post !! You will probably not seeing this comment as many people have commented, but I just want to say a HUGE thank you for the video you make some years ago, it truly help me. I have realized that I wasn’t alone and feel a bit less disconnected from the world at some point. I did go see a therapist and start making changes. Today, I feel 100000 times better than 3 years ago. Also, start reading positive books and it truly help me too. The mix of the therapist and the positive books had a huge impact of my life. Before, I was saying no at every invite I have got from my friends because I was scared of go out of my home, I had quite my dream job at the time because of anxiety and I had quite school as well because I was scared of being judge or being in a situation that I will feel insecure. But now, I say yes to my friends, I go back to school studying fashion styling, what I wanted, I do my blog and put myself out there and I am very proud of everything that I have accomplished the past 2 years now. I have an amazing job, I even had two jobs at the same time the last winter, who will think that, from someone who was scare to go out of her home. So, thank you for sharing your experience, I am pretty sure it helps more than just me, but a tones of people.

Hi Zoe, I’m 27 and I’ve had a similar experience..I’ve always been an anxious person and in my early 20s I started, as you wrote, to simply avoid everything that made my anxiety grow bigger then in 2013 I was so tired of doing nothing and having my life controlled by anxiety and panic attacks and I went to therapy..It was one of the best choices I’ve ever made; after a few months I decided to begin University (I always wanted to do it but every year I found and excuse just because I was scared)..Now anxiety doesn’t rule my life anymore, it’s still there but by learning to listen to it I’ve known myself and how to face each situation. I think you’re really brave ’cause I can understand that doing your job with cameras, famous people, travels and being at the center of the attention isn’t easy at all!!thanks for your words and videos you really are an inspiration! Kisses from Italy (sorry for eventual grammar errors)

Hey Zoe! This was beautifully written and this makes me so happy because you are doing so well. I have been ill from 3 years old, at 3 years old i got diagnosed from cancer which was a wilms tumour, but at that age i didnt really understand what was going on because i was so little. I just know that this affected all my family and it also affected my younger sister because my mum had to be there for me (like when i was in hospital having chemo ect.) i did get better after that and i just had to go back for checkups for all of my life basically. However, when i was 14 years old (im 16 now) i found another lump which scared me so much because i understood what that could of meant and i was thinking the worst things, i wasnt going to tell my mum at first but then i decided it was the right thing to do. I had to have tests but they just told me that it was a hemotoma which would go down, i went on holiday after this for the summer and the lump seemed to get bigger so when i got home from the holiday i went back to the hospital and had more tests, they then told me that i had a leiomysarcoma (which is cancer). I was so scared and i was so scared, i was saying that i didnt want to die and its not my time to die. I had to go to the hospital for chemo which i had two fits off because i was alergic to the stuff they was giving me. Since i was 3 years old i have had these constent migranes, i have had head scans and they just say its migranes but its the type of headaches i cant handle and i get them so much. When i do get a migrane i get really anxious and panicky like im going to fall or something, my mum says i need to try and deal with them and its not that easy. Now i go to college and loving life at the moment, i do performing arts which js acting, dance and musical theatre. I still suffer from migranes but i just try not to think of them as much. When i have one of my headaches and i have dance they let me sit out so i dont faint, but i just sit there so i dont miss anything and if we do anything i can learn it in my head so i dont miss anything. You are one of my biggest inspirations because you have been there for me more than you know because your videos and blog posts are just full of positivity, they just make me so happy. One day i would love to meet you, its not everyday that i get to come and visit because i live all the way in Blackpool. Just know that i love you and you make me so happy. 😊❤️😊 My twitter is @Abby_Royle i would love it if you could follow me and theres some photos on there of when i was ill 👍 Xxx

Thank you, Zoe, for this post. I recently started my second round of therapy with a new therapist. After my first round of therapy I did quite well, but I then had a major relaps I just couldn’t get out of and almost didn’t dare to get more help. Reading your post gives me hope that I will succeed this time in battling anxiety. Keep going girl, you will get there!

AmyyJane

i dont suffer with any kind of mental health or anxiety but this has inspired me to take new steps and to change my life if im really not happy, Zoe you really dont know how much you have helped me and so many others xox Carry on doing what your doing because its truly AMAZING and i couldnt appreciate it more! xo

Joanna Tomlinson

I am really thankful forl earning about your channel Zoe. Watching your vlogs,your videos, reading your blogposts, your books, always makes me feel kind of… safer. Knowing that someone understand me and is always there when I need them is so reasuring! I am really thankful that I don’t suffer from anxiety but I have the bad habit of constantly criticizing myself and building up my emotions and when this wall of emotions and criticism that I build falls, I break down. I cry so hard and I feel so alone. But you always make me feel a little better. Especially your vlogs with mark, I have to admit, these vlogs are by far my favourites. I kind of feel like I am your friend as well and you mark and me are… some kind of squad I guess! You always manage to make me laugh, cheer me up and even just for a few minutes, I forget about this wall. So thank you.
I am so happy for you! Just keep working hard and everything will get better! I don’t know if you will ever read this, but I truly believe in you and even though you don’t know me, I’ll always be there for you Zoe. Thinking about how happy you make me. Thank you for everything!

Michaela

Well said! But most of all, congratulations, Zoe! I believe you will get rid of it and live your life how you want it if you aonly keep trying :) Best of luck!http://www.mishii.co.uk

CXMORR Blog

I recently started my own blog, it is in the same style as Zoe’s where I talk about beauty, fashion & lifestyle! I’d appreciate if you would check it out :)x http://cxmorr.wordpress.com

CXMORR Blog

Hey! I just started my own blog last month and I’d really appreciate if you’d check it out and maybe even give me feedback about it if you want :) It is in the same style as Zoe, I will be posting about Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle.. thanks!! x http://cxmorr.wordpress.com

If you have a blog please let me know also, I’d love to have a look :)

Iris

Hey :) I’ll check out your blog, and I also have a blog, and if you could check it out too that would be amazing :D

I post about a lot of different things haha, but the main idea of the blog is trying new things.

Thank you for posting! I don’t have anxiety but I know that LOADS of people do. It just makes me happy to see people connecting and sharing their thoughts and being open with one another. Thanks for being a great role model Zoe. :) <3

This was so so lovely to read Zoe – I can relate to some part of anxiety, fear and worry, missing out and hiding away but I do always try to go and give it my best. Reading about your progress, it’s amazing, you should be so proud and I know with a huge audience it can be daunting but you’ve got the best attitude <3 Here's to many more easy breezy and happy memories and experiences.

Hi Zoe,
I was reading the comments and I don’t know what to say. You’ve helped so many people recover from panic attacks and anxiety, it’s amazing. I hope you don’t ever change because you are so kind and caring and ….. well that’s all I can think of, but I’m sure you’ll help a lot more people. Thank you for always being there.

I know exactly how you feel because I have been working on my anxiety for a number of years now and I feel like I’ve actually gotten to a place where it’s manageable. I still struggle with it from time to time but it has definitely gotten better than it was 10 years ago. Sometimes your mind wants to jump to the harshest outcomes and that can trigger your anxiety but recognizing that, that is what your brain is doing to you can help so much! My mom has always told me that I’m my own worst enemy and she’s right…. I’ve probably said the meanest things to myself in my head than anyone has ever actually said. I’m so glad that you’ve gotten to a place where you can cope with it and I think it’s so important that other people get to see someone they admire talk about a subject like this b/c it makes them feel like they aren’t alone. :)

Jessica Finley

Thanks so much for this blog post Zoe, I too struggle with anxiety and hearing all this has given me much encouragement and understanding.
So thank you :)
P.S. You’ve also inspired me to start up a blog :)

I have recently gotten to the worst point of my anxiety and it has taken over my daily life…tomorrow is my first day of therapy and I am so hopeful that I will eventually be better. This post was very reassuring as it reminded me that I’m not the only one going through this and that it is possible to get out of it. Thanks and I hope everything continues to get better for you :)

I am currently in college and severely struggling with my anxiety. I have missed dozens of opportunities in my life due to my anxiety and it has only progressively been getting worse. I am trying my best to overcome it and honestly knowing that other people out there are struggling with the same issues helps me so much. To see you really overcome your anxiety and accomplish so much really inspires me to do the same. Thank you for sharing about your personal life and I will continue the jounrey to overcome my anxiety and enjoy life to the fullest potential that I can.

I really, really loved this post. I struggle with anxiety, but ever since going to therapy & paying attention to the signs of what my body is trying to tell me when I’m anxious, I’ve been so much better. Sometimes I still get manic, or flare ups, but overall I feel way more in control.

Hey Zoë, wow can i just say how inspiring you are ?!!!!! You have no idea how much of a rolemodel you are for people who are dealing with anxiety. I’ve recently decided to work really hard on myself because i realised that now ( in my gab year ) its the perfect time to ‘fix’ myself because i can’t go on like this. It will ruin me. So thats why i’m gonna try to make my life a little bit easier for myself.
Its a long way to go but so worth it. This post made me really confident about my decision. I just wanna say that i’m so so so proud of you.

Lots of love xxxx

Reader

i love you zoe
Your blog post is so MOTIVATIONAL AHHHHH i have been following you for not so long, 2 years now, and istg i watched all your videos and i really love you so much . this post really made me love you so much more. When i was watching your video on anxiety, i was being a piece of shizz and i thought you were being irrational and hormonal and judged you for that. But your humble vlogs and video and this blog posts really made me see you frm a different light
I feel so happy for you that you have taken such a big step through baby steps in your life and CONGRATULATIONS !!!
i get nervous very easily but this post has really motivated me and mean a lot

Straying away from your blog post, i just want to say THANK YOU for making videos bcus it really makes me SO happy when i am sad or stressed
i know u have 11 million subscribers and thats A LOT but just know that these 11 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS are your friendliest friends and is always supporting you in every step and decision u make!! ( apart from some haters but just know that the love community is much bigger )

This post made me tear up. To know how much anxiety has affected your life and how, after years, it still is there and yet you tackle it with the courage and strength that you have – that is AMAZING. And I’m so happy knowing that you’re not letting it bring you down. I’m happy that you shared such a beautiful, personal post and spread more awareness on mental health issues such as anxiety. You are one strong lady, and I’m a proud viewer who prays that you continue on to the path that you’re going to in fighting anxiety and inspiring others <3

From someone who deals with anxiety and depression on a daily basis, I truly bow down to you with all the work you are doing in the mental health area. Thank you for your wise words zoe they mean a lot. http://www.justlittleellen.blogspot.co.uk

I’m sat here rereading this post! It is honestly the biggest inspiration to me right now to improve my anxiety and move forward. I’m so tired of living my life in fear and letting anxiety beat me every single day. I want my anxiety to put it’s feet up and not be sooo loud anymore. I want it to rest. I want my logical happy part of myself to be a little louder and really come out of it’s shell for good. Best wishes always, Zoe. Keep doing what you do girl xx

Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

Kayla Hunt

The way you’re so open about all of this purely to help others is so admirable of you and could’t make me more proud to look up to someone like you!

Sherrie Webster

Such an honest post, its so good that you are so open about your anxiety! It really helps people that have anxiety to know that other people do go through the same thing and you’re not alone!

Thankyou so much Zoe for sharing this story, it means so much to me to know that I’m not the only one. Thankyou.
I have a blog too! Please check it out here: https://rachelleclara.wordpress.com
xoxoxoxo Have an amazing day!

Hanneke

Wow Zoe, just reading this almost made me cry! I’m so proud of you and how far you’ve come! I hope you keep progressing and one day you willl reach your goal. Love you! 💞💗

Hi Zoe x My name is Millie Jones and I would just like to let you know , you are not alone! Even though when you have these Anxiety panic attack kind of things – you just need to think that there are over 11 million people who believe in you and I can assure you they do! I’m one of them xoxo
I love your vlogs , videos and blogs so much – ive tried to start a blog but I cant find the right website , the website that makes me feel like… ME!!!
May you pls reply back and tell me the site you have used to start up this blog? xxx
Like I say … YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!!!!!
<3 <3 <3
Love Millie xxxxx

Lauren Stanton

I’m so suicidal right now…

Kris Harris

Hi Lauren :), If you would want to please share whatever it is you are feeling now, please answer back, as I care! I want to help you through this, as whatever it is, and whatever your feelings are at this moment, please know that these can change, if you will just hold on, and lean on people that do want to help! Please reply back, and let me know more about what you are going through. ❤️❤️❤️

Lauren Stanton

Hiya Kris,
I’m still alive.
Thanks for being so sweet.
Life is just a nightmare. I have three years left of hell at school. I feel like I have to hide away my entire mind because of how messed up it is. Nobody gets me.
I see all of these YouTubers being successful and I’m sitting here behind a laptop screen watching them. Doing nothing. I’m a complete and utter idiot. Zoe has got through anxiety but I know I won’t get through anything. Ever.
People don’t care about me and I’m tired of living.
Bye,
Lauren x

Kris Harris

Oh Lauren, I am so sorry that you feel this way! My reply to you earlier isn’t showing that it posted, so I just wanted to say that I have been where you are at many times in the past. I quickly wanted to share with you something for you to think about, as it is so successful in helping people with anxiety, depression, PTSD, mood disorders, emotional regulation, etc. It is called Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and was actually started by a woman who suffered depression and suicidal thoughts for years, and was instutionalized for over 2 years. She is a very effective therapist and well known and well regarded. Her name is Marsha Linehan and she has been teaching the skills for over 30 years. There are DBT therapists and courses that are out there. I took a 10 week course, and the tools I learned are invaluable. DBT can help improve anyone’s life, actually. It breaks everything down into numerous, individual teaching tools..on every aspect of our emotions and interactions and behavior with other people. It is work, but the more effort that is practiced and put into it, the better! Serious, effective stuff.

Right now, I would like to say a few things (as I have to leave in 5 mins., but we can talk again), such as:

1. Please try not to catastrophize your feelings. It is called black and white thinking, with no gray areas in between, such as using words like “always feel this way, never will get better, total failure, ” etc. There can be a lot of gray areas in between these. :):). DBT will teach you ways examine more closely the ways in which you can examine your emotions, see if they are based in total reality, and lots of tools to think better and in turn, feel better!

2. Research DBT and I will talk with you about it later also.

Talk to you soon!

Kris

Lauren Stanton

Hiya,
Thank you for sharing this with me. It is pretty hard to not catastrophize things but I will try. I’ve had a look online and it seems hopeful.
I’m alive (sadly) Although I feel forced to live in this horrible world full of some selfish people.
Bye!

Lauren

Kris Harris

Hi Lauren, You are welcome. :). There are soon many tools that are greatly helpful in DBT. All of our emotions are rooted in thoughts that are sometimes so automatic, that we don’t even realize why we become so off track. It teaches you how to break down our thoughts (which are often circular and repetitive) into manageable parts that we can then analyze and see if it fits true reality. Plus tools to change our thoughts; thereby changing our emotions.

For example..you are right about there being a lot of selfish people in the world. In reality though, there are a lot of kind, caring people in the world also. You really need not worry about the entire world of the selfish people. You only need to surround yourself with a small group of positive, caring people (a mini world of your own), in which to thrive and feel supported and loved. Place yourself in places where you are more likely to find people like these. Believe me, if you look for the positive, you will find it!

Another wonderful tool is a grateful journal. It is where every night, you write down 10 things that you were grateful for that day, no matter how small some of them may seem. At the end of the week re-read your week’s worth. You may think that your week wasn’t that good (looking at the glass half empty, instead of half full), but when you re-read, you will be surprised that a lot more good things happened than you thought. This exercise also retrains your brain to start “looking” for the positives in each day, at first, just so that you can write them down. But as time goes on, you will find yourself mentally counting the positive things that happen each day…your thoughts (and emotions are now changing!). Yes, it is work to do, but this is what it takes to retrain the way we are processing our thoughts which turn into our emotions. Step by step you will get better.

Another good saying is this..”Remember, you are doing the best you can at the moment.” And “Keep trying to do better, bit by bit.” It is a process which takes time. It doesn’t happen by magic or overnight. But you will get there. Remember this! Keep taking those baby steps everyday, practicing, working the tools, until one day, you will realize that you HAVE come a long way from where you started.

Another thing they teach you about is how to use what is called “Wise Mind.” It is utilizing your emotions combined with sound logic, instead of just running off of emotion. There is a lot on this, and is very helpful to balance out our reactions to what is going on around us.

Most of us run on automatic pilot, based on subconscious interpretations of how we are and our interconnectedness to others around us. For some who have had a great childhood or do not have a chemical imbalance in their brains, , this can work out good. For others not so fortunate (me included), we need help, because we have too much interference (trauma, chemical imbalances (which mental illness should really be called, in my opinion), and these have caused our emotions to schew our thoughts. So we need tools to break it down into manageable pieces that we can learn to reprocess in much healthier ways, until they become habit.

Sorry, if I became too technical.

Just wanted you to know that there ARE reasons why we feel the way we do. And that there is also very definitive tools to help rewire our thinking. The good news is that you are in charge of what you can do about it! It just takes the willingness to work at it, giving yourself loving patience, and surrounding yourself with as much positive as you can find! Be your own best friend, tell yourself you are a fighter (never put yourself down in your head either…be kind to yourself), and begin…

You will become surprised at how wonderful surprises come in life. ❤️❤️❤️

With love,

Kris

Lauren Stanton

Hiya,
Thank you. :) It seems you know a lot about stuff like this. I am going to try to write a happiness journal to begin then go from there. I’ve searched up about dbt in a bit more detail and all of the courses charge you or require you to visit a place full of therapists..
You’re really kind. Have a nice day <3
Lauren

Kris Harris

Well..thank you, Lauren. You are very kind also, as you are on here sharing, giving, and praising others. God doesn’t make junk, and we all are so very special in our own ways. It’s so uplifting when we help and support one another. It then gives us the chance to know that we are unique and have something wonderful to offer the world. I read a book long ago called, “The Greatest of These is Love.” It has stuck with me all these years. This is the essence of and joy of being alive…to truly love and feel love with one another. I also took a class when I was about 20, which helped me to connect better with people. I learned that I didn’t have to stress so much about what I was going to say or even how they perceived me. What was really so interesting is basically, it’s about slowing your mind down, being mindful of the moment, and just listening to what the other person is saying. Then validating (not necessarily agreeing with what they are saying, but actually it is agreeing with how they are feeling about what they are saying). It is surprising how if you can learn to be a good listener and become interested in what they are saying, by asking questions, validation, etc., how just doing these things can be the beginning of new friendships! Anyway, this one thing was powerful for me. :). Thought I would share it with you, as I am generally a quiet, non-demonstrative person that usually doesn’t stand out, and it had been hard getting to know people before this. Now, for some reason, I am a magnet for friends..ha..just kidding!

This is so beautifully written, I ended up in tears. Just this simple message gave me a kick in the butt to actually sort my anxiety out so thankyou. And I’m so proud of you zoe Xxx

Leah Prescott

I remember watching Zoe’s anxiety video on youtube a few years ago,at that point I was agoraphobic. Agoraphobia is where you can’t leave your house due to extreme levels of anxiety. I’d missed out on high school,friendships,GCSEs etc and my absolute biggest fear was loosing a family member before ever getting the chance to see them again. Zoe’s ‘say yes’ video/blogpost encouraged me in new ways to start trying my absolute hardest to turn my life around and I will be forever grateful. Once I got back into the routine of actually going outside,I ended up going to a smaller private college for people who can’t attend mainstream for whatever reason. I did drop out because my anxiety couldn’t handle it but I met friends,met my boyfriend and two months ago we had a baby. My anxiety is still there but thanks to Zoe I got the kick up the ass I needed to do something about it. This blogpost is the reminder I needed. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me Zoe and I’m so unbelievably proud of you and how far you’ve come!!

You are truly inspiring, Zoe. I have watched your videos and blog for 4 years now! I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since I was a tiny girl so its nice to hear other people who have it and how they overcome it. I love you loads! xx
Sending love from Utah: http://thatssoriah.com

lene chi

I don’t really have anxiety problems myself but my bestfriend does, and this post just helped me to find a way to help her, even just understand her. Although i don’t have this problem myself i did find it helpful to other problems i might have.

Is it possible for anyone to be as awesome as you, Zoe? Honestly! Also, when I was in grade school, I used to have anxiety. I worried every day, and I wouldn’t even go outside for recess because I was so scared about getting sick in front of everyone. Every single day, I would go into the nurse’s office and stay there, instead of going outside and playing with my friends. Now, I hardly ever worry at all! Yes, I get stressed, but I went to a therapist and now I don’t worry as much anymore! I love you more than any words can express! You’re the best, and you are helping so many people!

Alexandra Vergotis

Thank you so much! I suffer from a few different types of anxiety and depression and just reading how you’ve overcome Anxiety made me feel so much better about it. I never really thought about how WE are the people who control it and how Anxiety isn’t coming from something else. I had a panic attack the other day because school was starting again and I started watching your recent videos and it made me feel so much better. You don’t know how much of a help you’ve been to me (let alone everyone else). You’re truly amazing Zoe

Salina Khan

Hello, Zoe!
I have been struggling with anxiety too from a very young age as I was the youngest one in my family so I had no one to talk to. Slowly, I became a very quiet person and I just didn’t know how to talk to people all that well. Especially these days,my anxiety has been very high and I just don’t understand why.
Reading your post has made me feel a lot more better and I am so proud of you. You have come such a long way and you give me hope. Hope for my anxiety to get controlled just like you. I really love what you do, Zoe. Keep up the amazing work! We love you all.
Much love,
Salina.

Zoe, I almost cried while reading your post. As someone who’s having the same disorder as you are, I find it hard to control things at a certain moment, like whenever I’m having a great half day, the other half I’m suddenly sobbing and crying thinking about things that are problem only my head. It is hard to take critique too, It almost feel like they are yelling at me how bad I am. Not a lot of people in real life knows I have an anxiety disorder, but sometimes I can hear they whisper that I am such a crybaby. I’m also working on to break the barriers and walls that anxiety has given me, seperating me from real world, as well as fixing the bridge that was broken by my anxiety because it won’t let me go. Your writing definitely inspire me to keep working on it. Thanks Zoe.

Hello Zoe! Firstly I must say I don’t have an anxiety what I am super thankful for. But I still can understand that it’s something you need to work on hard, just to make a little improvement. I’m so proud of you and every single person who’s able to decide they want to make it better and try as hard as they can to make only little bit of progress in dealing with anxiety or panic attacks or other mental illness. It’s very inspirational that someone is ready to work their butt off on their issue and I know it’s not an easy task to do. When I saw you watching the show in one of the vlogs from Scotland, I was thinking exactly the same as Poppy (and I’m sure lots of other people did) – how amazing it is that you was able to sit there and enjoy it! You’re such an inspiration for all of the people (as you can see from all the comments here) who’s struggling not only with mental illness but anything a person can struggle with. I don’t know if you’re ever going to read this, I don’t care, I just want to THANK YOU for being you and not being afraid of your anxiety anymore, being ready to fight and for showing it to all of us.

Hey Zoe… Just always remember not to let anxiety get over the top because you can beat this… BTW you are amazing and i love you so muchhhh! Your videos are awesome!

Lara Joyce

Hey Zoe! as i was reading this I first noticed what a beauiful writer you are and then I stopped and realised that what you have done and how far you have come over the last few years is truely incredible and you’re story is and inspiration to many and that is one thing I am sure of! I don’t suffer from anxiety myself but i have a very close friend that does. I know how hard it can be, being an outsider and watching th epeople you love going through such terrible things and putting themselves through terrible things. To know that there is someone out there with such an influence that understands what is going on in the world is very comforting. And somehow, when i watch your videos, or read your blog posts, it makes me feel safe and i know this is the case for a lot of other people. Thank you for being an incredible soul, and just being YOU. Love, Lara Joyce xx

That blog post made me lose my words, tear rolled down my face as I read on. I don’t have Anxiety as such but my worries and panics have always lead my life. I’ve never reached out of my comfort zone, never lead an exciting life and if I do step out I panic but my panics can always be controlled. I’ve never thought it as anything but me, from now on I’m not going to let panic lead my life, I’m going to live my life to the full. freyabeauty22 Xx

zoe my life, is a big ball of anxiety and I get scared nearly over ,EVERYTHING but recently because of YOU, my life is soo much better.You have no idea how thank full I am.So just know if you are ever feeling down remember you have a 12 year old girl looking up to you.Thanks again. P.S (and I hope one day I can get to meet you :).. )

Tay Campbell

I doubt you will ever see it but if you do ilysm <3

Natalia

I am so happy to hear you’re getting better at handling the anxiety. I’m a really anxious person and it is nice to see that we CAN be better. We just have to want it and say YES.
Love you Zoe.
Natalia

Congrats Zoë, Really happy for you. My best friend suffers from anxiety and by working as a group we have helped her over come it. Thanks so much for the advice and my best friend loves reading your blogs too. Hoping to meet you sometime in the future, you and Mark really make me smile (Lol 😂). Love you loads xxxxxx

Natalie Redman

Well done Zoe! It seems like you’ve definitely come a long way with anxiety and you are an inspiration to tackle it head on rather than letting it take over your life any more.

Hey Zoe, i’m 14 and I got diagnosed with anxiety around November/December and have had panic and anxiety attacks nearly every couple of weeks usually at school and sometimes when i’m doing things at the stables that can put me on edge but i’ve never ever told my mum about the panic attacks I have. She knows I have anxiety as she was there when the doctor told us but she doesn’t know about any of them because I never tell her as she can be very judgemental and I know she will say that I’m being pathetic so I don’t know what to do. How did you tell your mum that you had it and explain to her the panic attacks you had? I’m scared to tell her, especially now because she will be super annoyed that I haven’t told her about the other ones! God I’m so confused I feel like crying :( Please can someone give me some advise :-(

Grete KLJSR

Holy crap, Zoe! I am so incredibly proud of you! I’ve also had my struggle with anxiety. A few years back I had so strong that I couldn’t even go to the shop without crying, not to talk about any other social place. It was the worst. Then I started seeing a therapist, at first I didn’t think it was going to help, even in the end of all those sessions I didn’t think it actually helped me but then I started seeing all those situations in a different light, I started reassuring myself, it all changed. I even overcame my fear of spiders! Right now I’m basically anxiety free considering what it was a few years back. The only anxiety I feel is those normal things like before a test or stagefright. When I read the part where you linked arms with Poppy and what she said and what you felt had me in tears too because it’s absolutely magical, that you can go from an anxiety freak to a perfectly fine person. I never thought I could live so freely!

I honestly don’t think this could have been said any better. Although I only received a diagnosis of my anxiety around 2, almost 3 years ago, I have been working so hard to overcome it. Thanks to an amazing support team from my family and my therapist, I’ve gone through milestones that, whilst they may seem small for some people, are so huge to me I never thought I’d get to do things, like ordering food, without have a panic attack. I’m so proud of how far you’ve come and this post has comforted me so much, as still not a lot of people openly talk about this, even nowadays. So thank you Zoe!
I hope this finds you well!
~Phoebe xoxoOnce Upon A September Year

I have had anxiety and depression for 5-6 years now and it ruined the career ahead of me which was to be a professional dancer and I have just been stuck in my house for the last 5 years and its so depressing but hard to go out side without someone but i hate that i have to depend on someone, i just want my FREEDOM!! but I have come a long way and i’m getting better everyday and im doing it without medication as the medication used to make me worse, i’m planning on a few trips to brighton after the new year then maybe im gonna do the big move as the sea calms me and there is a lot for me to photograph now that i’m a photographer ( big career change ay lol) and i just want a fresh start on my own with independance. Anxiety Sucks but don’t let it beat you just kick its arss and say not today anxiety, not today.http://www.KatieMariesBlog.com

Sheda Subair

Hi Zoe, I would just like to tell you that you are a very brave and courageous person, it takes a lot of courage to open up about something that even you were worried and didn’t fully understand about one point. I remember a video that you posted on your YouTube channel about your anxiety and how you felt about it. I know that a lot of people think that your life is perfect, so they have a right to criticize you, but that proves that they don’t really know you at all. I bet you that those people wouldn’t even dare come near you and say something like that face to face. Please ignore any haters that try and bring you down, or any haters in general, really. I know that there definitely have been days where I’ve felt insecure or in a way that no one else would be able to understand, sometimes even I don’t understand. Now I know that when I’m sad or feeling down I can think back to what you said on this blog and think to myself: I must not let this take over or destroy my emotion and I’ll know that there IS someone else in this world – or maybe even multiple people- who feels the same way as I do. You’re really inspiring and I love watching your vlogs and main channel videos. Keep on doing what makes you happy!♡

Kathleen Pederson

I’ve just experienced some of what I think I could call anxiety attacks. Basically, I will feel like I’m not safe in my own house in the middle of the day. I know that I am safe, but I just can’t convince my head to stop and calm down. I haven’t called a therapist yet, but I am planning on it. I have a list of therapists from the doctors.

You’ve been a huge role model and almost like a big sister to me Zoe, and I thank you so much for that!

Zoeey Lavie

Hey, my name is Zoe (like you), I’m a french people so I do my best to write in English. Your post, make my cry, because, what you say is the truth, we can feel your feelings and the hard road that you have do to be here. I follow you on your Youtube’s channels and you’re like so strong because we can’t see your weakness on the screen but the fact that you write the verity on a blog post is also a sign of stronger because you’re not scary to say the truth and your feelings. So thank you, to inspire us to be some strongest peoples. XX

Elz x

Hey Zoe! I’m so incredibly inspired by you, someone who has reached a bump in the road and found away over it. I have bad anxiety, and I’ve had it since I was about 11 and a half. I’m now 13 and I’ve got myself a therapist, a few times every 2 weeks. I have had my small achivements (getting into school etc) but I can’t say that I’m feeling much different just yet. It’s so lovely knowing that life isn’t as it seems and off the camera, things aren’t perfect and I respect you for making this. It has helped me a lot and I image tons of other young people too. Thank you! Xx

I’ve been dealing with anxiety from around the age of 12 and at the age of 19 I still am. I’m very proud too say it has imporved from what it was but it’s still a big part of my life. I’ve recently started therapy and I’m hoping it helps!. xx
charlottesevern.blogspot.com

Im like crying right now. I don’t know why but this makes me feel so happy for you and its so inspiring to read what my idol says about this. No one ever does it seems. I love you Zoe!!!!

Tasia

wow, zoe, I have to say this is amazing, I have some issues about anxiety and I definitely have to say you have helped me through a lot of it just by being an inspiration. i 100% agree with the fact that it has a lot to do with friends and family that you surround yourself with, like I feel most anxious when I am by myself in big crowds. but once again, you are such an inspiration so thank you :)

Gemma Keeble

Hey Zoe,
I have found this post so, so helpful. I have recently been under a lot of stress at work (I work 40 hours a week in a children’s nursery) and as a result of the stress, I took two days off of work. During those two days, I have become very anxious about leaving my house. The thought of being outside where there are thousands of people scares the hell out of me. My family have practically pushed me out of the door so that I can just get some fresh air. I had a panic attack on Sunday (16th October 2016) because my mum asked me if I wanted to go into town with her and the thought of going to town scared me that much. I have been planning to go back to the gym (as I have been awful recently) and my boyfriend asked me if I wanted to go one afternoon, again, the thought of going to the gym petrified me. I have never suffered with Anxiety before and this post has just helped me to see that there are things I can do about it and there are people I can talk to etc. It is a scary thing to go through.
I am trying to find a way to share my experience with others on my blog (www.gemmakeeble.co.uk) but I feel as though I haven’t “dealt with it enough” to explain to people. I’m sure I will get it together, but if anyone here has any suggestions/advice, I would be so grateful.

You are a massive inspiration to so many people, especially me, so thank you!

This was such an emotinal and inspiring post ! Thank you Zoe !!
I’m so happy for you, that you feel better and stronger, and that you’re fighting anxiety with so much determination and grace.
I’m lucky in the sense that I don’t suffer from anxiety, but I experience other mental health challenges (such as prenatal depression) and you’re such an example for me. I’m sure so many people can relate to your story and what you choose to share with us, and it makes us feel so much better. Thank you so much :)
I wish you the best, starting with a cosy and fun autumnal day !
(It’s quite grey in Paris today, how is it in Brighton ?)
Lots of love, Anais
xxxhttps://anaisloves.blogspot.com

Nicole O’mahony

Thank You for writing this, this post is so relatable for myself as well as others and your progress makes me so so happy :)

Mo Ateng Hope

This has hit close to Home after watching a loved one struggle with this, so grateful that you shared this. Thanks http://www.moatenghope.com/

Aeryn marshall

❤️❤️

Sierra Prince

Zoe, this is incredible. I have been watching you on YouTube since about 2013-2014 and when I say I can see the strides you’ve made with your anxiety, I’m not lying. Obviously I don’t know you in real life, and I know you probably still struggle with things off camera, but your fans can truly see a difference in you. You seem so much happier, and free. I love that you feel comfortable enough to open up to the world about this thing you’ve been struggling with for so long, and how every day you are getting better and better at fighting it. You are an inspiration to many, never forget that.

Holly Turner

Wow this is THE most inspirational thing I have ever read❤️❤️❤️

kasia miko

I loved this post Zoe and it really is great to read about someone else’s journey with anxiety, it definitely makes you feel less alone. The part that really stuck out to me is when you said, anxiety is not something that happens to you, but that it is within you. Really clicked for me when I read that said so thank you. Wrote it down in my journal since those words are really powerful. We’re about the same age too, so just knowing that there is someone else in the world going through something similar is really, comforting I suppose? Especially on the days that aren’t so great, or the ones that start good and take a sharp downturn. I’ve learned to just accept my mood and how I’m feeling that day and have always enjoyed watching your or Alfie’s videos since I find them so relaxing. Pretty sure I’ve seen all of your videos from the beginning. And we’re similar in age so that definitely is part of the reason why you make me feel less alone with my anxiety and more courageous to stand up to it. So if you read this, thank you for that :)

Amazing article Zoe. It’s really interesting to see how far you’ve come since 2012. Anxiety is not something that I suffer from personally, but some of my closest friends do, so it’s important for me, as their friend, to recognise how they feel and why. It’s reassuring to know that they aren’t alone and that anxiety doesn’t have to rule their lives. Thank you for talking so openly and honestly about it – you’re helping so many others manage their anxiety by doing so X

Katja

Thank you so much for sharing! I have the same feelings, my anxiety once ruled my life. But now I am stronger and I know, like you said, it´s only just a small piece of me. All the best, Katja

I’d love to be able to afford therapy but I cant. I tried to sign up the to the NHS mental health service and the only thing I could get was a 8 week course in worrying… which is great BUT it is only during working hours so I can’t commit to a few hours a week each week :(

Julia Bailey

A beautifully heart felt and inspiring post Zoe, which will support others who suffer from anxiety. I too have been caught up by those voices in my head, making me miss out on really important family memories and opportunities all because i think the worst will happen. Since I’ve turned 25 and my other half was involved in a motorcycle accident last year, it has made me more determined to push myself to the limits and do things out of my comfort zone, because as they saying says, “you only live once, so bets make it a good one”. I can honestly say that those feelings wont truly disappear, however i can manage them better and live my life to the fullest. Julia x

Carly Perren

Zoe, you make me feel better about myself – just knowing that i am not alone calms me right down :)
I am struggling with my anxiety massively at the moment as i have come off medication because i want beat it on my own and i wasn’t myself when taking tablets.
i have started a blog only a few days ago as i find writing down my feelings when I’m have a anxiety attack relieves some of the symptoms.
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Love Carly x

Emma Nowell

This is so inspiring. I don’t suffer from anxiety but even so this post spoke to me on so many levels. Luv you Zoe xx

Tianna Spiteri

Wow Zoe! You are such an inspiration to everyone. I personally haven’t suffered from anxiety, but I have a friend who has, and I want to show this to her so to give her some motivation, to show her that you can still be successful and happy and that you cant just let anxiety get in the way of your life. Also, I want to say thank you for being the best Youtuber out there. I love you and your videos so much and I watch them everyday. Please, keep making videos because they bring everyone some much joy and happiness.

love tianna xx

mara burchielli

Hi Zoe, your videos always give me the opportunity to relax and enjoy a single moment without anxiety, moreover I’ve learnt I’m not the only one to suffer from anxiety and you are such a good inspiration for me, this post has been so useful and I’ve mirrored in some behaviours that I can really understand! I’m happy my anxiety is less than before and a part of this is also thanks to you! Love you Zoe, kisses from Italy

Jennifer Ou

Being an asain myself theirs always anxiety to be pushed to your stereotypical limits. Get straight A’s and stuff but YouTube and especially you has really widened my perspective on life. Things like beauty I’m really passionate about but it’s not something my parents agree on. There’s so many things I want to do but there’s always that anxiety that I’m not allowed to do that or it’s just my for you. But I’m 12 right now so I still have a whole life to live. My question to myself is, what can I do that can make an impact and that I’m passionate about when I’m older rather then being pushed to a path I don’t feel like going through.

Thank you for opening up so much on this post Zoe. It is so inspiring and amazing to hear how far you have come over the past months – you should absobladdylutely feel SO proud of what you have achieved! I have been working really, really hard on my anxious tendencies over the past year and I feel as if I have come so far. Obviously there has been days where it all falls apart slightly (travelling etc!) but I can say that it really isn’t the main component of my life anymore. Phew! Totally agree what you say about therapy, we really need to break down the stigma! Immy x

Posts like these inspire me to take that first step, but it’s really hard and I’m having trouble actually taking it. I don’t know where to start or how I would even begin to explain what is going on in my head pretty much 24/7.

natalie lawrence

I’ve been following you since you first started on youtube (as have many other people). There was a video which I think you removed (or made private) where your friend was driving and a lot of people were commenting on something which he did in the video. I can relate to your anxiety, I’ve suffered with it since I was 12 and knowing that I wasn’t alone really helped me to understand. Although I can’t do half of the things I’d love to do, it is the simple things in life that seem to show me how far I have come. I had a panic attack when I was giving birth to my son. It was when the midwife looked at me and asked if I was OK (stupid question really when you are having contractions) that the thought popped into my head that I wasn’t OK. I was petrified. I struggle a lot with my anxiety and I struggle so bad that I avoid going to Tesco. I’m trying to overcome certain things, like walking in the area where my ex lives, but I have recently found that since passing my driving test and getting a car that I find driving very relaxing and it takes my mind off the thought of anxiety.

I really do admire you for your strength and admiration in what you do. I think you are an amazing person and I really hope this comment shows you how much you’ve helped me, even if I have just rambled on.

Much love, hugs and praise to you.

Natalie xxx

Chantelle Gosling

Hey zoella I understand I suffer anxiety and depression it’s so hard to do simple things and not knowing if your going to have a good or bad day and being alone I hate it I have to have some with me at all times and I understand the felling and it is hard but you have to push your self to get better I love you lots and your story has helped me fell better and I am getting help with it love you lots xxxx Chantelle gosling ❤️

Zainab Kashif

This helped sooo many of us. We love you. Never give up.And I hope your anxiety and panic attacks problem will soon be sorted and will never happen that often. We will always be by your side.

Nooraas

Hey Zoe! This post made me thinking really hard and I want to thank you for that. And I am very proud of you for writing this and all the work what you have done for yourself to get to this point. Keep fighting and always remember to smile!! Love you

Natalee Rosetta

This was so nice Zoë reading this x You’re so inspiring ♡

Holly Lambert

I now feel so much more confident in myself… I don’t suffer from anxiety but I feel that if I want to change something that is maybe dragging me down I can bring myself to do it. I will have enough courage to think about the problem, speak to someone and do something about it. Thank you for giving me such inspiration.

lucella xx

Hi Zoe i have anxiety to it has made me really scared/nervous around others. Im in high school and i have drama 2 times a week and we have to stand ans speak in front of the class and im so scared of having a panic attack can you give me some advice please im really scared of having a panic attack in front of 30 odd people it doesnt help that i have a smaller jaw which causes my face to look a bit odd or disformed because its a few centimeters shorter than my top jaw so that does not help but do you have any tips for stopping panic attacks in class and all around life basically so if you have any tips that really help me Zoe p.s i love you so so much your honestly my fav vlogger/beauty vlogger xx Bye Xox

Oda Kajsasdotter

Hi Zoe! I’m so happy you wrote this. I even teared up at the end because I’m in the situation you were in 2 years ago and it makes me proud, and hopeful for my own sake, how far you’ve come! I too know exactly what situations triggers it and even though I am aware of it and are trying to work on it, I seem to avoid them more than I used too. My mum suggests that I go talk to a therapist but for some reason I don’t find my problems as bad as yours or anyone elses meaning they shouldn’t be so hard to work on by myself. But I need to get this thing going because I don’t want to feel trapped or scared I’ll miss life. Thank you xx

Hannah Iris

Any advice on what to do when the person who gave me anxiety is the person I’m meant to talk to about it. How do I talk to them about how and why I’m having a panic attack when they caused it and their making it worse.

This post really helped me and i am extremely thankful for this. You inspire me everyday to deal with my anxiety.

Danielle

I’m so proud of you zoe, you don’t even know how happy I am for you! Let me tell you that at one moment I stopped and stared at the photo of you smiling and I could feel happiness bubbling inside of me, that and this post just made my night. I send you a big hug and all my love.

SO happy for you, Zoe. I could not agree more that seeing somebody helps. I have suggested seeing somebody to so many friends, and almost always they say something along the lines of “well I already know why I’m anxious so what’s the point of talking about it” or “its not going to help” and they could not be more wrong. Its the most amazing feeling to finally feel free from something horrible that you just assume is always going to be there. Lets hope that number of thought-control keeps going down and down!

Deep.Saw my self in bits and pieces of your anxiety journey. Thank you for this

Janneke

Hey Zoë! First of all, I’d like to tell you that you and Joe have helped me a lot these last years. Everytime I’m sad I start watching your videos and it instantely makes me feel better… for awhile. Lately I’ve been suffering from panic attacks. It’s very new to me and I hate every aspect of it. The worst thing is that one of the triggers for my panic attacks is school, something I have to deal with every day. My anxiety has been building up for over a year now and something that used to happen a few times a year has turned in a regular thing. I have been trying to avoid it by reading a lot, watching films, watching youtubevideos, drawing and generally not thinking about school. I’ve become a master of procrastination. I didn’t realise this actually made the panic attacks worse. Even thinking about the panic itself can make me anxious. Then I started reading your book, Girl Online. And it has really helped me so far. It really helped me feeling more understood and I hope that you could give me some more advise. I’m already signed in for a training on my school to avoid panic attacks, but the training hasn’t started yet. What are the best ways for you to deal with your anxiety? I’ve tried breathing excercises, but they don’t really seem to work for me.

Carys

Amazing Zoe, this has really opened my eyes! I’m trying to work on myself at the minute to try and cope with my anxiety. I’m actually starting a blog… aboutroseblog.wordpress.com please check it out, hoping this will allow my mind to wander into new and exciting things

Ana Lourdes Millán

Hi Zoe! firstly I’d like to say CONGRATULATIONS on conquering the fear of talking about your anxiety. And secondly, I’d like to thank you soooo much for every tip and advice you’ve given about how to manage anxiety attacks. At the beggining of this year, I was going to go on my first flight ever to the UK for a competition, and the thing that scared me the most was being away from home and family. I’ve always been that person that doesn’t like being away from the security of my home and enjoy every second I spend with my family, but seeing you talking openly about it made me realize that I’m not the only one feeling this way. Having my friends know about this and actually understanding how I feel is truly amazing, and I owe it all to you. You’ve been such an inspiration through-out the years and I can’t express how proud I am of seeing you overcome every obstacle there is in the path of life. Again, thank you so much and I hope you ever see this, because I want you to know that your comments about “we should not feel alone” truly fill my heart with joy. Have a lovely day :)

Kaylee

This is such an incredible post. I’ve been working hard to fight against my depression and anxiety. It’s a battle everyday but it’s worth it in those moments where I’m able to do things that I wouldn’t normally have done. I love the inspiration that you are Zoe and I admire you so much for all that you do!http://www.thedancingcowblog.com

Lollylops

Do you know I don’t have any mental illness but I do get stressed a lot and so easily I watch all your videos and love them all I have this friend who we text sometimes and she is the very sporty and smart kind of person and I keep fit and eat the right stuff but I am never been amazing at anything I love writing stories. I cheek a lot of my teachers and get into a lot of trouble for it. And this friend came too me for help when a girl started bullying her and then we became best friends but now she never talks to me just ignores me and then when I ask what’s wrong she says I’m annoying and I thought that she would be my change and that I could go somewhere change myself just by being her friend I like her a lot she’s pretty and smart and really funny what do I do?

Avery

You are an insparation and I wish I was this brave. Zoe you are amazing and I love reading everything you write!
I’ve started a blog somethinginterestingetc.weebly.com and I know, self promo scum! Thanks! x

Orreaga Zabaleta

Hi Zoe,
I met you as I read your book, Girl Online, and seeing your blogs I completley understand how you feel. I have anxiety too, some way. I don’t believe in myself and if I step up at something I feel as if I can’t because someone is just going to laugh at me and mock me. It isn’t bulliying or anything serious, it’s just me. My best friend ditched me and now she completley disrespects me. Everything I do or say, my opinion about something is always wrong. At class, everyone greets each other and when I come they completley ignore me like a two week old pizza. Thank you,

Hestya

Omg. This brought tears to my eyes. I don’t have anxiety in this Manner but I have panic attacks whenever someone touches me. I also panic in extremely closed spaces like airplanes, crowded buses, etc. I don’t have anyone to talk to. What should I do?

Kyla

Hey, Zoe! I have been suffering with panic attacks for 2 years and I am 12 years old! I am in my second year at secondary school and it seems to be getting worse!! The other problem I have is I haven’t told my mum, because I know she will tell me I am attention seeking and its all a load of rubbish. I don’t really know what to do! My tutor is probably the most amazing person, she is the only person that knows (apart from my best friend) and she helps me in every way possible, the only problem is I can only talk to her at school unless I email her (which just isn’t the same)!! I also feel like she has enough to deal with, I mean, she teaches over 400 students! Has anyone got any ideas of how I can at least get my anxiety under control???? xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Naomi van Geelen

Thank you so much for making this post. Can’t help it but I’m holding back tears right now. It reminds me that I’m not the only person who struggles with these things and I can relate to most of the things you’ve mentioned. I’ve been dealing with anxiety for a few years now. I recently started seeing a therapist and it’s so helpful! If there’s any of you who’d like to talk, I’m here :) X

Reading this made me scared but also reassured. It makes me think of all the things I am missing out on, the friends I’ve lost from always declining to hang out, and the memories I’ve never been able to make. But what you said is 100% correct. I know it’s all in my head and maybe one day, when I can afford it, I will go see a therapist. But for now I will take baby steps to bettering myself. I’m not completely sure how to go about it yet, but nonetheless, your words have inspired me to try. Thank you Zoë.

Emma flack

Great blog, it is me to a T, and its fab that someone like Zoella is bringing mental health to the attention it deserves, now people don’t feel as alone anymore, you kinda don’t think it happens to people who are in the public eye but knowing that anyone, no matter who you are can be affected is a reassurrance in some way to many, thanks Zoella for your help, advice and personal stories.
i have just set up my own website (proud that i had done it all by myself…pat on back) would be great to have someone visit, it always helps when other people with the same problem can share their experienceshttp://www.anxietycareandshare.com.

Džana Kadić

I can relate to so many things you mentioned, it’s unreal. I’m glad that you can see improvement in your anxiety. I’m really happy for you. Thank you for being a huge inspiration to so many people around you.https://dzaniica.blogspot.ba/ xx

Adeline Hoareau

Not only your friends and family noticed the improvement Zoe. We did too. Since you’ve been to Greece this year, you’ve been way more open to people around you. You’ve got that twinkle in your eyes, your face expression is somehow cheering, you look content… Well I don’t know you personally but that’s what I judge from watching your vlogs and everyone else vlogs that feature you. I am juste really happy and proud of you for choosing to tackle anxiety with therapy, because it could also be a painful path. Anyway, thank you for sharing you experience with us. Love you <3

Pinch of Pointless

this helped a lot i have anxiety too xx

ValeBaeAshSel

Hey Zoe, I just want to say: THANK YOU… You’re such an amazing woman…
You can be proud of you, and proud of what you made!
I’m a french young girl, and like everybody, I admire your job!
You just have to keep doing what you do, and keep helping us.
You can’t even imagine how helpfull you are!
So please Zoe, stay yourself because we love you juste the way you are <3

Aleksandra Tsenova

You Zoe, you are one really inspiring person. Although, I don’t suffer from anxiety or depression I find this so helpful and you inspires me to start living my life the way I want. Thank you!
Check out my blog http://www.sallure.blogspot.com 😘

This is just amazing. Everyday you’re helping me Zoe and I’m so thankful for that.
I love you so much. I’m glad you’re doing better, you’ve been working so hard and it’s finally
working. xx so much love from Canada

Maria Alejandra Rpo

Read this is just amazing, i am so happy for you Zoe. You inspire me.

RavenMal532

I feel like the older you get the more your anxiety grows ’cause about 3-6 years ago if someone offered me to do something in front of a crowd but now I would just say “no way ho say” and now I’ve read this I’ve seen in myself that I’m missing out on things. When it comes to facing my fears it is usually everything but anxiety. So I’m gonna face my fear and next opportunity I’m going to except it. Thank you for giving me some confidence.

From RM xxx

lisa

Hi Zoe, I have never had problems with anxiety or anything but I was really touched when I read your post. I think it is great that you talk about things like that, especially because of your grasp and even though like I said I have never had anxiety I can imagine that you post really helps people and makes them fell better because they know, they are not alone. Also it is great that you point out that even the most “perfect” person has their problems and no one is perfect.

Emma Lousie Walley

Hi Zoe! i am just commenting to say thank you. over these years i have watched your YouTube channels and read every post on your blog many of times while my anxiety is at its worst. i can’t thank you enough for actually writing this post as i finally am getting to the bottom of what causes my anxiety, i go to therapist every two weeks and i say everything on my mind and sort of address the things that stress me out or make my anxiety worse. compared to how it was this time last year i am able to say I’m getting a lot better. i want to thank you for actually making me realise i should take a stand on my anxiety and stop it from running my life. i have recently started a blog and will be making a youtube channle sometime in the future and i just wanted to say thank you for all that you have done! x

I love you Zoe your so inspiring for all girls and woman out there who could be going through the same thing as you anxiety is no barrier!!!!
Girlerina xxx

Clémence Herry

Hi Zoe !
I watch your videos since a while now and i had my first panic attack a year ago. I saw you talking about anxiety but never really understood it. Until i lived it. Today i remembered that you have anxiety just like i do and decided to read your blog post of 2012. Omg i just felt like it was me talking. I’m really glad you wrote this article because when you are what we call a “panicker” (sorry for my english i’m french) you feel so alone and unnormal. You won’t tell your friends because you think they’ll make fun of you (if they do i don’t call it a friend) or when you’re in a room feeling uncomfortable you’re watching everybody else and thinking “they are normal, why am i feeling like this?!!!”. I feel very emotional after reading your two articles because i feel less alone and i know that someone in the world is experiencing the same things that i do.

When i was feeling very anxious this summer because of the thoughts of going back to school (i had massive panic attack there) i watched your vlogs arroung Edinburgh and i made me feel so much better. I had no idea you were still coping with this shizz that is anxiety. I was starting to see a therapist every week and i was thinking “oh i’d love so much to go to trip like this with my friends” and you made me forget about anxiety 20 minutes in my day and you gave me the will to go outside and enjoy life and stop wondering “yes but what if i have a panic attack?!!”.

I’d like to say to everyone suffering from anxiety that it’s ok to ask for help (i always told myself i’ll never need a therapist because i’m not weak lol stupid me) because sometimes you’re not enough and you can’t sort everything alone ! Please don’t let anxiety define what you do in a day or stop you of doing what you love. Take babysteps at the beginning but you will see then all the road you have done and you’ll be very proud of yourself ! That is the best gift you can do to yourself :)

Lots of kisses to you all and have an amazing day xx
Bisous, Clémence.

Lily

Hi Zoe! I also tried to get this to you via email but no answer came. Please reply! I am a big fan of your vlog, blog, books and your beauty range but that is not the only reason I am emailing you. I recently started secondary school and it has been a massive shock to the system. A few days ago year 7 went on a residential trip and on one night we had a movie night. This is what I need help with. I was sitting on the floor, chatting to my friends, waiting for the teachers to tell us to come and watch the movie, when a boy from my class came up to me with a wet pillow and whacked me round the head with it! I then dropped everything I was holding and ran out of the room. I had to get out of the situation. By the time I had reached my room my breathing had sped up, I was crying and my legs were shaking. Two girls then found me and comforted me and I then told a teacher. The boy had been bugging me and annoying me before hand. I can’t think what I might have done to make him hate me so much. I’m scared to go near him now. My parents know what happened with the pillow but I didn’t tell them about me shaking etc. Please Zoë. I need help. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Thank you so much for reading this and for listening to me drone on about it.
Love a big fan of yours,
Lily x

Lily

Hi Zoe! I am a massive fan of yours!

siiri Kuronen

Hey Zoe! Thank you so much to doing this blog post. Myself i suffer from depression and reading this blog post it make me cry. You are so amaizing person and you are being trough a lot. Again thank you so much to this post. I’m so proud of you.

Ronnie

Hi Zoe! I hope ur doing well with ur anxiety.I love to read ur blog and watch ur videos on YouTube!! Hopefully I am getting some of ur new products for christmas!! love u Zoe xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Pearl Harvey

Hi Zoe, I loved reading this. I knew you had anxiety but I didn’t know this in depth about what you went through. I have anxiety too. It’s a bit different from yours but it is so reassuring knowing that you came back from being almost invisible in anxiety to being the amazing, inspiring youtuber and blogger we all know and love now. I think it helps when people with anxiety read things like this because it gives hope that we might be able to live one day without it. I saw a therapist to try and control my panic attacks and depression when I was about 12 and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. When I feel anxious I have a strategy that I do where I watch something to keep my mind off what I’m thinking about and I always watch your videos. They make me feel happy and they are always interesting and bright. Anxiety is a horrible thing and knowing that you and Tanya both have it and that you fight it is really great. I’ll be hoping for you and your anxiety.
Love you Zoe, Pearl xxx

Pearl Harvey

Hi Zoe, I loved reading this. I knew you had anxiety but I didn’t know in depth what you had been through. I have anxiety too. It’s a bit different from yours but it is so reassuring knowing that you were once invisible in anxiety and you came back and are an amazing, inspiring youtuber and blogger that we all know and love. I went to a therapist when I was 12 to try control my panic attacks and depression and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done so I feel your struggles. I have a strategy that I watch things to stop myself thinking when I’m feeling anxious and I always watch yours or Joe’s videos. You two are my favourite Youtubers and I just find that your videos make me feel happy and are always interesting and bright. I also watch Tanya’s videos and knowing that you two both have anxiety and yet you are so successful and such strong women makes me so hopeful that one day I can live without it.
Love you Zoe, Pearl xx

spanna

this was really inspirational and shows that this ‘internet community’ is so true and we can share our feelings xxhttps://ctrlaweb.wordpress.com/2016/10/25/first-blog-post/

Hi Zoe!
I started watching your videos a year ago and haven’t missed one since. You are the most influential and sweet person on earth. This blog post is extremely sincere and it made me cry. Thank you for making my Sundays much more brighter. I love you lots.

Notes and Chords

I wrote about anxiety and panic attacks on my blog, it would be amazing if you could check it out, it is
ravenclawgirlquidditch.blogspot.com

Zoe!! I could first bump you till the end of time for this glorious post. I love that you’ve found a way to manage. Although it’s different from mine. Your are a majestic strong powerful woman.
I’m here for you.
Lots of love.
Fellow anxiety smasher, Amelia xx
thecurlyhairedgirl.org.uk

Lulu Hammond

with anxiety myself I find it very easy to relate to you recently I have had many panic attacks about some ‘killer clowns’ hanging around south London and I often find myself stuck in an endless cycle of attack after attack do you have any further advice for this

Lulu Hammond

oh zoe I know I have anxiety but haven’t told my parents or anything yeah maybe a few REALLY close friends but no one else I keep having panic attacks and when mum suggests doing things that I know will trigger it I have to come up with an excuse idk what to do

Chloe Badenhorst

Hi, my name is Chloe Badenhorst. I live in South Africa and I’m in my first year of high school. I suffer from anxiety and it only really started to show at the begining of this year when I went to a new school where I didn’t know anyone. I have regular panic attacks and I go to a doctor every two weeks to try help me but no matter what he gives me or what people tell me I still get really anxious when I talk to my peers or even teachers.Today I had to give a presentation about a book and what it means to me, so I chose All the bright places. I chose this book because I have had suicidal thoughts when I was younger and at the beginning of this year. I started my presentation of quite terribly. My voice was cracking, my hands were shaking and I felt that everyone was laughing at me.When it got to the part of my presentation where I had to say why I chose this book, I couldn’t hold it in anymore and I just burst out into tears. People started whispering and my best friend ran up to me and hugged me. My teacher said that I could try again tomorrow but I remembered what penny did in girl online when she was anxious. I built up enough courage and I finished my presentation.I have read all your books and they have helped me so much with getting through this year. Every time you post a video about how you get through your anxiety I take the advice you give your viewers and I put it into my everyday life. I won’t be able to pre-order your new book because it won’t come out in South Africa until next year maybe but I will definitely read it as soon as I can buy it here.There isnt a very high chance of you seeing this but if you do i want to say Thank you for being and amazing inspiration for me and many other people in the world.

From Chloe♡

Ivy Green

Hey Chloe, i just wanted to say how brave you were. New schools can be hard, i know how you feel. You can do it. I believe you can.

Emma

Im so proud of you Zoe we all are you have grown to solve most of your problems with anxiety and just remember that we are all here for you and we will always be by your side love you so much xx

Christine [PB][JZSC]

That inspired me with my OCD today I had a total mental break down… it just used to be normal ocd you know like counting repeating things checking…
But now it is turning into harm ocd which wants to hurt everything i care about and the entire time i’m just on fire from the stress i have and the anxiety i get
I don’t know what to do i feel like I’m going to lose control..
I talked about it with a friend of mine and she little said i’m crazy and when I tried to prove her I wasn’t making this up she just walked away and left me standing by myself, i can never forget this moment,i just lost a friend.

Kimberly Moore

Zoe I’m from the U.S. in Arkansas. My daughter who is 21 has watched you for a long time which is how I first heard about you. I watch both YouTube channels plus Alfie and now a load of your friends. I enjoy it you are all so sweet and truly lighten a hard day. I watched the video of the comedy club and enjoyed it. Had no idea of course how monumental that evening was for you. Has a mother I have to admit I teared up when I read this. And even though silly felt so proud of you even though I don’t know you. Keep at it your doing great and what an inspiration you are for so many. Prayers and blessings hun to you. Ohhh and Have a very Merry Christmas!

Beth Kitchen

Hey everybody!! What a beautiful post Zoe has written. Makes me so much more comfortable with my own anxiety, something I have suffered with since about the age of eleven. I’ve just written a post called My Happy Place which is where I somehow manage to forget everything, including my depression. I would love it if you could give it and my other blog posts, a read. The link to my most recent is http://bethie-kitch.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/my-happy-place.html Thank you so much!! have a lovely day x

EmilyKate

HI zoe! My name is Emily and i have had an anxiety disorder since i was 13. ( i am now 16). It has been and probably will continue to be the hardest challenge of my life. It quickly took control of my life and i missed school, i wouldent go to the grocery store or to family gatherings. Like you said, i started to know exactly how my anxiety worked. luckily, i have been able to use that to learn how to take deep breaths and face situations that normally i wouldent have. I recently started taking a daily pill for anxiety and this year has been worlds better, but i know im far from anxiety free thoughts. i still get really bad stomach aches and nausia and i run away from what would seem like a normal situation. My doctor recommended seeing a therapist, but i didnt think it would help because i dont want to divulge all my feeling to a stranger, i dont enjoy taling about it ( mostly because i feel awkward) and i felt like i was getting way better by basically training myself. I also thought being reminded of my anxiety by seeing a therapist would just make it worse. reading this post has definetely helped in possibly seeking out help from a therapist. Also a reminder that there are LOTS of people with anxiety, it CAN get better, and the importance of riding stigmas on ALL mental health conditions and issues. thanks for this post!

Max Jablonowski

Hi Zoe! I find your posts your posts really inspirational. I am 17 years old today and I am having one of the best years of my life right now. However, I do feel alone socially. My family and colleagues at my local tennis club where I work on a Saturday are amazing but I feel really left out at sixth form. I try everything and anything to fit in: conversations, meeting up and I try not to barge in as such. Whenever I try, I am just told to shut up and go away. I end up spending my days in the common room or study room trying to do my work but people just annoy me by taking my stuff when I am trying to work and chucking it around the room. I end up wasting time trying to get it back. I have been bullied in the past and that was dealt with by the school but I constantly feel under threat when I walk into sixth form. I feel like people are using me as they ask me to help them with their work and I willingly do so but I feel like I do not get the same respect back. I see on Snapchat and on Instagram people in my year being invited to parties and gatherings and I always feel left out. People say don’t worry you will be invited to one at some point, or they say stop being an attention seeker, nobody likes you… I always remember people’s birthdays by commenting on Facebook or sending a message but so far today only family and three friends have done so. I have tried to fit in and I have been at this school for nearly 5 years now and I have not been invited to a single social event out of school. When I see posts like yours, it makes me really happy to see your life improving and thriving. Should I make a blog revolving around lives like mine? Anyone please do leave comments as I would love some support, tips and advice. Thanks, Max

Jessica Hullock

This is amazing, although I have never met you, I feel I’ve know you for years and I feel proud of you. The amount of stuff you have overcome is outstanding, it actually makes me a little emotional as I have been following your whole YouTube career since you only had about 6-7 videos on your YouTube, I always go to you when I need to chill out, and as at the moment I am struggling with anxiety it is nice to hear you talk about it in such a positive way, and I am planning on getting a therapist, overall I just want to say well done! You are so inspiring and an amazing person who has achieved so much.
Love you lots
Jess xx

Thatweirdgirl

Hi! I hate to be that annoying person who spams popular people’s comments in hope of getting noticed but I’d appreciate it so much if you could head over and check out my blog. It is thatweirdgirl2.wordpress.com I am working really hard on it and would love it if you could check it out and maybe follow if you like it! Thank you so much.. thatweirdgirl

Aria.

You’re very inspiring person!

lady-aria.blogspot.com

katie Robertson

I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety and I find it hard to cope like going to a shopping center for the first time or being able to do something alone scares me but I started to say yea to more things and my friends always asked if I wanted to come,they understood I I said no and said they would always be there if anything happened and they have kept that promise. They are amazing friends and they know how to treat me if I have a panic attack but new friends don’t really understand and I have been told to say the alphabet backwards a few times by friends I’d just met who weren’t comfortable with the situation,who didn’t know what to do. I recently stepped out of my comfort zone and did something that others may not see as a big deal but is a big deal to me. So here goes it was my birthday not a few days ago and naturally I received money in cards and I wanted to spend it but I couldn’t go with anyone and mam said if I wad comfortable I could go alone. I worried about this and wrote about how I felt and sais to myself ‘you can’t avoid things forever, you’ll have to do it sometime, so why not now.’ Anyway I decided to go to the Metrocenter alone foe the first time and yes I worried and I thought I was going to have a panic attack, but you know what got me through it, it thinking that I was achieving something amazing (in my circumstances) o was being brave and I would never regret it. I made it through that day and it turned out to be one of the best days of my life. REMEMBER Sometimes it may get you down and I mean really get you down but once you get over the mountain they’ll be a great outcome on the other side. The climb up may be tough you just have to believe. I could waffle on all day about my experiences but I’ll not, I’ll just hope that this will help some other people encourage them to step out of their comfort zone and remind them that the climb is tough but things will be even better on the other side. This kept me going and I good it will keep you going to. Thanks for listening. K xxxx

Ps Zoella thanks you helped me and you probable won’t read this but I wanted to thank you anyway.

I love this post Zoe, so well written and really inspires. I struggle to share my personal experiences, especially about mental health, so I have a lot of admiration for you xxx
Jade | http://www.frillsandlyrics.com

Emily Archer

Having suffered with postnatal depression to the point i lost my home i sympathise. The biggest and clearest path for me was looking for, and talking to others. I started my mummy blog and found new like minded friends which transferred positive energy. Keeping busy and having a pastime helps and distracts me when I’m having a day of lower emotions.
Your words are lovely. Emily. brickblocksandfairies.wordpress.com xxx

Zoella is so insperational. Her story is so emotional to me. I watch all of her videos becuase she is amazing. She inspires me and gives me new Ideas

Teress

Zoella I like this article so much :-) You are such an inspiration to me in so many ways :-) I am also really proud of you :-)

Tiffany

Perfect post. Well done for how far you have come and what you have achieved. You are an inspiration and it’s great that someone so influential is speaking up about anxiety. You are helping change a lot of people lives.

Mila S

I think everyone who struggles even with negative thoughts should read this! Stunning! Made me cry towards the end, tears of happiness of course ;)

So much respect for you Zoe.
I wish people also find comfort in my blog like I do in yours, I look up to you <3
topknotkindaday.com

hey zoe i just want to let you know that i am glad you are okay and by the way every one of your subscribers or readers are here to support you and we know what its like to be in your position ..this blog has made my day

Hi Zoe
I want to ask you some advice. Sometimes i have panic attacks and it was so terrible. Tell me please what shoul i do?
love you xxx

Jazmin Williams

Hey Zoe,

I know what it’s like to be dealing with anxiety. I’m so happy you have been able to see a vast improvement with your anxiety while seeing a therapist. For me, it’s been a rocky situation with therapy. I was with the Child and Family Clinic up until I was 18 and it seemed to help a lot, but for me, adult mental health care is a lot more difficult. I don’t know if it’s all of the UK or just Wales, but for me I’ve been having a lot of trouble with them arranging appointments, contacting me and when I’ve had (very few) sessions, they’ve been treating it as though my condition is a mild “phase” despite being on the strongest medication for it. I’d like to think you went under private care and your experience was great. I’m trying to do a lot of therapy at home with family while I try and work out my situation, but I hope to either get transferred someplace I can get help or be able to do enough at home where I can be able to get in a state where I am able to to work again (my anxiety has forced me to leave my job, which is awful) and be able to earn enough money to afford to undergo therapy under private care.

It was inspiring to read this post and know it IS possible to have vast improvements. I definitely think someone such as yourself should be an advocate with a mental health charity as you have been through it all and have obviously found yourself in a much better place than you once were.

Keep up your amazing career and always look after yourself.

Much love,

Jazz x

Александра Полянская

I was crying while reading it and I have so much to say and don’t know what to say at the same time.

Firstly, you and your story give me hope. Sometimes when I’m crying and suffocating on the floor of my bathroom I truly believe that there is no hope for me to stop felling like this. But then I read your blog or watch your video and I realize that, hey, I still can be normal person and feel normal again, because she can.

Secondly, I really want to thank you. Thanks to you I found out what the hell is happening with me and how it called. I found out that I’m not one person in the world who live with it and it is possible to control it. Before it I was really scared of these uncontrolled attacks of anxiety. You kinda saved my life.

Also, I would like to thank you for giving us such good advice concerning anxiety and diffidence. You have many experience and you know lot of things which other people don’t know. It’s hard to talk about it openly but you do it for us and I truly appreciate you for that.

P.S. Sorry for mistakes I only study English as an additional language

Georgie

Hi Zoe! This is so inspirational and I hope you get through this ok. We are all here for you, me especially! I have had a couple of panic attacks and they are horrible- my vision goes funny, and I start quietly screaming without realising. Thanks for raising awareness as people should know about anxiety! It is highly unlikely that you will see this but if you do, and want to chat, please email me! Love Georgie xxx :)

Connie Lane

This is such an inspirational post! Love it :D
I even quoted it in my most recent post in my newly updated Bloghttp://littlevictories94.blogspot.co.uk/
Feel free to check it out and leave some comments.
Thanks X

Mehndi Ram

Hey Zoe,

I just read this post and im really happy to see how to can talk about it and how much you have learned from it and your experience is helping other people too. I have an on going nerve problem which gives me excruciating pain, so much pain that all I can do is bury my face in my pillow and let my tears roll down my cheeks. It comes in pain, electric shocks and spasms on one side of my face. Mainly attacking my pressure points. Basically i have trigeminal neuralgia. Some surgeries can help but the condition comes back after surgery and I will be left with half of my face numb. No way i am only 28 and I cannot let that happen so I have been fighting this crippling awful pain while finishing my masters in criminology. Anyway I am graduating now but a few things that really helped me were some medications. I stress quite a lot which results in me clenching my jaws, which is also a reason that caused my condition. My Dr gave my an ti depressant coz apparently I have signs of minor depression but I refused to take it because I know what is wrong with me, it’s this nerve pain that is stealing nights and nights of sleep from me while I am studying and it ended up giving me anxiety which later resulted in minor panic attacks when I have deadlines for uni. I battled through it telling myself that I am bigger than this. I take pain killers for the pain though coz it’s a hell of agony off scale!! but for my anxiety my Dr gave me Diazepam aka Valium and to be honest it really helped me in certain situations and I am thankful. I know it has a bad rep but that’s only because people have mis used it in the past but the real purpose for it is for people like us, with anxiety. Now I am not telling you to go ask for Valium from your Dr as they know their job better than me but I am just sharing my experience here and maybe you can discuss it with your Dr if you wish. You seem to be taking good control over it so keep it up.

Best
M

isabella winterbourne

i totally understand this blog post, i love how u are so confident with what u do and trying to make a difference. i honestly can relate to this so much.i have anxiety, i don’t like people judging me or saying to my face that has something to do with me. i recently just had a panic attack,i was in my band practise and i had already forgotten that i had had a music performance and i didn’t bring my performance clothes, i had already started to feel like what if i got into trouble, but then it got even worse with my band teacher telling me i was a failure and i couldn’t play my instrument. i started feeling very sick and i was going to puke, i felt like crying every time started talking to me. i was getting hot and then out of no where i started crying to my best friends and my mum had to come and pick my up and i was crying to, this is just something small for me and i have had worse things but i can understand what u feel like, i feel like i can’t get out of the situation and i can’t breathe,love you zoe and i really hope your anxiety gets a lot better xxxxx

Blonde Marima

Hey i just started reading ur books and the first two are amzing ,i was wandering if u could tell ,me were i could get the rest of them in Johannesburg 🌸💖

Federica Belotti

Dear Zoe,
I know that there are A LOT of comments and you certainly can’t read them all, BUT, if you ever manage to read this, I want you to know that your words have helped me these past few years. I’ve felt understood and I found out that I am not alone in this battle against anxiety and panic attacks. I’ve found hope and a living example that if you try hard and you fight, you will get better. So THANK YOU for showing this part of your being and for letting the world know that anxiety is not a whim but a serious issue.
With love,
Fede

ItsBeckyx

I’m so grateful that you share these things with us Zoë, thank you<3

Gemma Tweddell

Hi Zoella, do you have an email address I could possibly write to you.
My 10 year old daughter, Niamh has been suffering from panic attacks for the last two years. Her dad and I have been getting all sorts of different advice. She is actually seeing a physiologist at the moment! I’m not sure what the next step would be, to get her to feel ok. She really feels like she is going to die and will not go to sleep on a night! This is really hard for all of us, Niamh has a brother Jenson who is 11. Who is really frustrated by her….even though it isn’t her fault.
Niamh absolutely adores you. I came across a you tube video were you are talking about your anxiety attacks and I showed this to her. I was hoping it may help her in a way by making her see that she isn’t the only one going through it. And somebody like yourself who she loves, who is normal (as she really feels she’s isn’t normal) has this happening to them and how to try and cope with it everyday. If I could write to you and explain the procedures Niamhs is actually going through right now. It would mean a lot to get a reply from you.
Niamh is laid in bed with me right now as I’m wrighting this, it’s s real sruggle everynight trying to get her to sleep and telling her she isn’t going to die.
Even just a little note back to say she is going to be fine might make a difference. I just want to take all the anxiety away from her.
Many thanks a distressed broken hearted mammyxx

Zoe, this is a great post and well done to you for sharing something so personal. We only grow and become better and stronger outside our comfort zone – you know the saying “Life begins outside your comfort zone” – well you are living proof of that. It’s so much easier said than done.

Abi Moss

Hi Zoe, my name is Abi Moss and a Photography and Journalism student. This post was so lovely to read knowing you’ve improved and don’t feel as though you have the whole world weighted on your shoulders anymore. At times I feel like the best thing to do is cry and hope everything with my anxiety will stop. As of a few months ago, I was diagnosed with GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) meaning anything can set me off with this kind of anxiety. I find myself happy for the day and then next second I’ll be breaking down into tears uncontrollably shaking because I can’t figure out what it is that has set me off. Your posts are always something I refer back to when I want to calm down. I don’t care where I am, I will always go back to your site and really read through your posts, They make me happy, they help me, and they also make me realise its not just me thats suffering. In my friendship group, I’m the only one who has been diagnosed with anxiety but I try my best to pull through and make exceptions so I don’t miss out with seeing my friends now we’re all in different colleges. Even if I’m feeling rock bottom before I see them I come and read your posts to make sure I’m more chilled out and more alighted rather than feeling (excuse my French) shite. Thank you for writing about things that the media don’t necessarily address. I really appreciate it and so do thousands of others. <3

Mary Patrice

I love this post so much, Zoe! You are spot on that no matter how much someone might seem like they have their stuff together, they don’t. I’ve been going through it myself over the past year. Thank you for sharing your journey over the years and I hope you the best of luck :)

Krishma Shenoy

Hi zoe!this blog was literaly a new meaning of life to me im 16 now but ive been suffering anxiety for a really long time in a sense of studying whenever i used to sit to study it would just freak me out and that fear of studying(anxiety) I thought would ruin my life but after visiting and also reading ur blog post it makes feel very good anyways thank you so much for everything u have done for us
Love you!❤

Lore Becker

This blog post was so amazing. And your words helped a lot!!!
Xx

Slytherin Singer

hi Zoe. I don’t know if you will read this but I just wanted to say that you really help me because I get panic attaks and not only do your videos and books help calm me down but your whole personality. I love you and your whole british gang of friends and I want to start my own youtube channel and blog but I have no idea on how to start them. I don’t think I will ever meet you as I live in south wales which is really sad cause I would love to meet you and some of your friends. it would mean the world to me if you replied to this and gave me an idea on how to start them both.
please reply
from Slytherin Singer

ciara

I don’t have anxiety, but I did go see a therapist for my depression and eating disorder and I can truly say that it does help to seek out professional help if you have access to it. but if you don’t even talking to your close friends or people you trust really helps.

Hi Zoe, I love this post! I also get anxiety and your videos and posts help me get through everyday with a smile. You are such an inspiring and amazing person with such a bubbly personality. You never fail to make me smile. I hope you have a great Sunday and remember to take it easy! God bless, Libby xxxx

Such an important post, it proves that even if you have anxiety, it doesn’t have to control your life. It proves that anxiety isn’t who a person is.
Aleeha xXxhttp://www.halesaaw.com/

Marine Rndt

OMG I don’t even know how I did to not see this post before!
I’m Having panic attack since more than a year now and I gave up on many therapy before but you gave me hope back to try again and find solutions to take my life back into my hands and no to be ruled by anxiety
Thank you so much Zoe, Love xoxo

holly leigh

hey zoe,
i have major anxiety and this blog really helped on what i should do about my anxiety , but one problem is that a few months ago ,not sure how it happened, but i was afraid to eat with my fingers as i always thought there was so many germs on my fingers but now i am happy to say i once again eat with my fingers and my fear of germs is almost gone. your blog has really helped me and i dont feel so alone anymore. no one from my family knows about my anxiety and neither do any of my friends because im afraid to tell them in case they make fun of me .people at my school used to make fun of me and pick on me because i used to eat diffrently and i used to get really upset about this until i saw this blog of yours and i decided to tell someone about it now i feel a bit better although i still have anxiety and deppression.
thank you zoe for everything , you are my idol , i love you so much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :)

Maddie xx

Hey Zoe I think your really inspiring to me and many other people and I really thank you for that xx

Emily Hardman

Hi Zoe,
I am Emily and I’m 20 years old. I’m a newly married woman living in Preston, Lancashire. You are such an inspiration to a lot of girls around the world, including me. You have been very brave to share these feelings with your fellow bloggers and you have come so far in the past few years! I have been following you in this journey as I too struggle with anxiety. At first I thought I was just shy, but I became to realise it was more than that. Reading your experiences with anxiety really comforts me because it helps me realise that it isn’t just me going through this, there are others in the same boat as me. I love your blog and I also love your videos on Youtube. I have been wanting to start my own blog and my own Youtube channel for a while, but I’ve never had the confidence to do it or know where to start! Hopefully soon I will be able to take the step to do so. I have also read your books and they are awesome! Well done for getting this far.
Thank you so much for your inspiring words. xoxo

Emma

Hey Zoë, I’m a sufferer of anxiety. I was never too bad until I was off work due to injury for 4 months, my nerves and anxiety got a lot worse over that time. I was afraid to leave my house incase I bumped into anyone and was worried about what people were thinking at work. I was so nervous on my first day back last week, but I walked in and everyone was completely nice, but I did notice a change in myself, my confidence was gone, my patience was less and I was so anxious about everything. I am now beginning to be more socialable and trying to see my friends when they are available to get me into being around a lot of people and not wanting to run out of building and head home. Years ago in my teens, my anxiety was bad too and I had severe depression, I was bullied and made fun of in school, I had very little friends and I did do things to myself that I’m not proud of, but when I finished school , I attended college and I made loads of new friends, no one judged me, I felt like I was wanted and people enjoyed my company. It was a good feeling and my depression went away and my confidence grew and my anxiety disapated, but over these recent years I don’t know I could feel the nerves slowly creeping back. Now I’m just struggling with my anxiety and confidence and motivation. I am currently in contact with a therapist, so fingers crossed I’m on the path to a happier, better life. You are a big inspiration to my life currently and I enjoy reading your blogs and watching our vlogs, you always bring a smile to my face xx

Amanda

Simply loved this. And it warms my heart to see how much progress you’ve made. And from watching you for so long I see little glimpse of it in your videos. You truly are an inspiration. You make me feel like if you can do it, so can I. I thankyou for that. Keep moving forward. You got this Zoë.

MyHorseWorld

Hey Zoe! I loved this blog and I really am grateful that you feel that you can trust us with such personal things, love you xxx

This is a very beautiful and honest post; one that I’m sure will help countless people also dealing with anxiety. I applaud you for your courage, and for all the hard steps forward you have made!

Sabina Hope

Thank you for posting this Zoe. I’m so proud of you for taking that step and sharing your experience with everyone. I think there’s a stigma around mental health and simply seeing a therapist regardless, so I’m glad you’re the voice to have the next generation hear this from. Some won’t always listen. I’m a Crisis Counselor for an organization called Crisis Text Line thanks to YouTube (because that’s how I found out about it) and I help people through panic attacks and various mental health problems all day :) so thank you, it’s nice to hear this from someone who’s been there and understands and can speak up.

Kyla

Hey Zoe, this has helped me so much…I also have a blog (potterprincess.simplesite.com ) and I did a post on my experiences with anxiety! I would love it if you could all check my blog out…It would mean a lot to me xxx

Styliana

This is so beautiful and inspirational Zoe. Thank you for opening up about this subject. I’ve been dealing with anxienty for a long time and it’s so good to see other people not being afraid or ashamed to talk about mental health, anymore.

Hey Zoe i am a young teenager who has been diagnosed with anxiety, panic attacks , autism and type one diabetes and I find it so relieving that my idol has some of the conditions that I have
YOU ARE SO INSPIRING

LOVE YOU SO MUCH

Carolina Barreto

Hi, Zoe! I just wanted to say, this made me cry! I have a friend that felt like she had to keep apologizing to us because of her panic attaks and we didn’t know how to help. She’s better now, but your post made me realize how proud I am of her! She’s had a hard time and I’m so happy that she’s happier and healthier! Thank you for reminding me that!

lucy

So helpful! Love u ❤

Amelia 🎅🏻❄️

Hi my names Amelia and I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety for 2 years now and this blog post is truly amazing and makes me believe that everything can get better thanks you so much Zoe ❤️

Roosi

I am so happy that there are people like Zoe, who are strong enough to share such important messages like this one.
Keep up the good work, Zoe!!!
❤

Excellent information for UK with this blog. Person to Person anxiety changes and control is the only solution for anxiety. Be positive and have faith in yourself which will overcome all difficulties.

Silje Oostwouder

Hey Zoe! Thank you for sharing this, I personally think your story is so inspirational. Sometimes when I get into a difficult situation I just tend to chicken out and go home. And I don’t want to be that person. Not anymore. Good luck on getting down that 15-20% of anxiety that is still left. I hope to hear how that went as well. Love, a fellow blogger.

Elena Hayward

Hi Zoe. You probably won’t see this but I will try. About 6 months ago I started suffering from anxiety. When someone was a bit late I thought they might of had a car crash or something. Each night I was so scared that I would practically cry myself to sleep. I am scared to talk to anyone about it and you are the first to know. I admire how you can talk about it in front of the whole world, when I am scared to tell my friends/family. I would really appreciate if you or your amazing fans could give me some advice on how to solve this. xx

Lolli

Thank you for giving the best advice

Rosie Strothers

Hey Zoe! I love reading about this because I used to suffer from it, it all stopped when I went on holiday to Cornwall in the summer. I learnt to surf and paddle board I loved it! If anyone is suffering from this find something you love, do it a lot to take your mind off of it! Hope you all find something❤️❤️

Abby manning

Hi Zoe i am glad i am not the only one who suffers from anxiety. recently i have been having attacks everyday for no reason.people at my school have no clue about what i am going through at the moment but it doesn’t help when people bully you , when you are already feeling down.it makes me feel like i have no energy left. i watched your mindful minutes video,and it helps me to calm my self down and not to panic and worry so much.i really love dancing but i always get a feeling that people are judging me, which makes me really want to stop going but i now know that it is only me worrying and panicking about how others think about me.

thank you so much for sharing your problems, it has really made me see that there is a brighter side of having anxiety.

My dad has really bad mental Health and his problems can flare up very quickly. It can make me scared and worried and a few nerves can suddenly turn into a panic attack. It is really scary and I am not very good a coping with it I was wondering if there is any techniques you advise. Also your Videos are really great and I really enjoy watching them

sprinkle of my world

Hi zoe, you are a massive inspiration to me and I love how you talk about your anxiety because it really helps people like myself understand it more and realise the importance of understanding it.
I especially think writing your books, (which has given inspo fro this blog) has given such an insight into anxiety as well, especially coming from someone who suffers it!
Thank you zoe and congrats on the new book! xxhttp://www.sprinkleofmyworld.blogspot.co.uk

Emma Charlish

I love this so much. Being someone who suffers anxiety too I love reading the progress people make. I started blogging last year about daily life with anxiety and even getting 50 views per post is a massive thing for me. Because I can hope someone out there reads it and thinks wow its not just me.

Wow, you are inspirational! Any fellow bloggers want to help each other out?
My blog…. Manxie.me <3

Michelle Heine

That post nearly made me cry. It’s weird, because I don’t know you personally but I feel very proud of you. You’re so brave and strong because you decided to change your life.
Keep going :)

Courtney Bailey

Zoe I wish I was like you and tried to fight the anxiety but I just can’t so I always find my self constantly scared at school I feel trapped when I’m at school and I am constantly finding excuses to leave class beacause if it. I don’t like to talk to my friends about I just don’t think they would understand it. Have you got any suggestions on how I could manage it a bit better? Your Channel and blogs help me so much and I am so grateful you can share this with us. Thank you 😊

hey! I love you so much zoe (in the idol way) and I just love how you can inspire so many people in just one article! On day I wish that I shall have the power and confident to do that

youtube fangirl xx

I’m so proud of you Zoe you’re so amazing and inspirational, do whatever makes you happy and thanks for everything <3

Thushaniha

I love your blogs and reading everything that you write that is soo truee…xx

AVABOMBAVA

Hey Zoe! I don’t have anxiety, although I did get 69% on an online test! Anyway I’d like to talk to you, sometimes when I’m at home I just feel worried, not necessarily about anything in particular but I just feel worried. Have you ever felt this way ? I love you as well btw and Im proud to be a Zoella fan! 😘😘😘😘

Panda girl

I love you Zoe! You really help me with my life because I go to a really big high school at the moment and the corridors are always crowed and loud. Sometimes I feel a panic attack coming and feel light-headed and faint. It was awful at first, but then I read your blogs and watched your videos, and now I’m so much better! You’ve really helped. ILYSM! Bye! X

Veronica

I read your book Girl online in 3 days. It was a really good book. What i found intresting is that i never really knew what anxiety was or how it felt. Even when you posted it on youtube or on your blog i never fully understood what it does to you. And it was explain in a very good way in the book, and i guess thats the point. And sometimes i wonder if i have some sort of anxiety as well. Not maybe in the way you have it. My mom started to drink when i was 13. And every since i feel like ive developed some sort of anxiety around alcohol. Like in the book it was the car accident. In my life its my mom who changed when she drank. And when i go out or there are people around me drinking i always feel some sort of panic. I feel like i just wanna leave. and i start cold sweating and i always panic when i think of money. My mom had a bad economy. And im so afraid of getting in the same situation. I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. The book really helped me realise what anxiety was, ofcourse it can be different but it gave me and idea how to help myself. I tried to picture it like Penny made in the book, with a colour and shape and it helped me when i started to panic about that i dont have a job. thank you! I wish you all the luck in the world

Hebe

Hey Zoë, I really wanted to write this message even if you never read it.
I am really confused and I believe I have anxiety but I am not sure, I am scared to mention it to my parents for fear of them just saying its a phase or no really its not that bad your over reacting. I have no idea what to do and where to go and I feel so isolated all the time – I have no super close friends at school to talk to them about this. I end up sitting in my room isolated with my netflix balling my eyes out with no way of stopping.

You really encourage to try that little bit harder to overcome some of my fears and sometimes it has worked and others it hasn’t – you are a real inspiration and this really helps knowing that I am not alone and there must be someone out there in a similar situation to me – Your extremely inspirational and a very important and influential person in my life – Thank You xx

chloe cerys

I have been watching your channel for about 4 years now Zoe and i have to say, you are my inspiration in life! I know you probably wont see this comment but im so happy that your learning to deal with your anxity! I know this is no where near as long as the rest as the comments but i dont think that matters does it? Anyway i hope one day i will be able to be that lucky girl that meets you and i just basically LOVE YOU! <3

Amelia Gunn

Zoe you are so inspiring! Love you so much, stay strong always xxx

Amelia Hawley

Hi Zoe! I would like to thank you, this has helped me very much. Can I ask you something? As someone who struggles with anxiety herself would you say your blog helped you a lot. Helped you through a lot of it anyways. I have been really struggling lately not just with anxiety and I have been (this is kind of stupid) writing fake blogs on my laptop and saving them so just I can read them. It helps to get things of your chest… I was thinking of starting my own blog but keeping it anonymous because I would die if any of my friends found out! I get ready to set my blog up and as I go to click finish I just freeze with panic. What site did you use to set up you blog? What can I trust? You would help me hugely and although you may not reply let alone read this, your blog has helped me enough. Besides you proberly get this comment everyday… Love you and thankyou Xxxxxx

Beatriz Pedrosa

When I am reading this, I can literally hear you inside my head speaking, it’s like I can hear your voice!
I really admire you Zoe! And I’m so proud of you for everything that you have accomplished so far. You really deserve the best!
It’s crazy how much you’ve grown and it feels so good to see you getting better and opening yourself more to other opportunities :)
Never let the fears stop you!

I loved this post zoe! I’d love to do an advice post soon, this has really inspired me!
JustJac.co.uk

Becky Shelton

hey Zoe
after reading your post I just had to tell you, how brave I thin you are to share the with the world becky :-) xxxx

kylie davis🎄🎅🏻❄️

I honestly find this so so helpful. I’ve struggled with anxiety since I was around 3 or 4 because of situations i’d gone through, and controlling your thoughts seems to be one of the hardest things in the world. I avoid hanging out with friends outside of school, I avoid certain stores where people might have to talk to me, it’s hard to even eat out because of talking to the waiter. But Zoe, you’ve set such a great example on how to fight it, and I’m proud, and I thank you. Your videos are amazing, btw.

You can be soo proud of yourself! The fact that you keep going, not stop and speak out is impressive. I’ve never had anxiety but I’ve gone through some though stuff myself and learned that you always go out stronger than you went in. And though you might not have chosen it everything happens for a reason and yours might be that through telling your story you are encouraging so many others that are going through the same or similar. You give them hope where there is no hope, you show them that they are not alone and that everyone can improve and live a normal life if only they go the first step and decide to do something.

Hi Zoe,
I’m a huge fan of all your books and I have to admit I was really skeptical about them before but after I read Girl Online I cannot get enough of you! I am in total awe of everything you do because I feel like you’re the only one who actually understands anxiety for what it is. I’ve been struggling a lot recently with my anxiety but nobody actually understands. Reading Girl Online: Going Solo the day after it came out just made me fall in love with your work all over again because you’ve helped me overcome it a little bit. I’m still really struggling though and I’m wondering if you can help me out with it? Love you Zoella x

Gracie

I wanted to say, and i know its late, I’m only young, but it hurts and it’s a struggle (my mind), i want to say thank you. I blocked myself from all emotions and it ended badly but after this post i cried ( i hadn’t for at least 3-4 months) and got help from a therapist. I going well. Thanks.

Rebecca Young

I hope you’re OK Gracie. I had pretty much the same thing. X

SavannahSB

I loved this post, and it really hit home for me as I’ve been struggling with anxiety for the past 2 years. You certainly brought up some great points about how you can change what happens to you. I think that some people get so caught up in their emotions that they forget to make changes to their behaviors, which of course often elevates one’s level of anxiety. I really liked this post! Thank you for this.

xo, Savannah
savbanav.wordpress.com

Zeynep Tunç

I’ve read this blog post with tears. Even though I’ve been struggling with this kind of health problem for a short amount of time, It feels like years. All of my friends can go out and have a good time just hanging out but for some reason, I sit at home with my youtube videos. I feel weak for being like this but I can’t stop it. I’ve used medicine but I hated it. I should be able to get through it without those. I feel like I’m not enough for anything. Even my own family don’t want to accept it. They’re trying to act like everything is ok with me. After a while, I just give up on trying to act like everyting

i am really glad zoe, that u are being so generous and helping people out, this article was truly amazing! i would love to see more of such articles becoz u r amazin! also, if u read this comment, i hopw u have the best of ur day! i love u lots! PS: i am ur fan from India <3

Mimi Cameron

Its really hard to deal with anxiety I can’t even sleep sometimes… I need help

Kara O’ Hagan

This is well said Zoe. i’m glad to hear that you have recovered!!

I Want To Hug Zoe

Zoe, I’m in tears. I know you probably won’t see this, but where’s the harm in trying? You are my life. My inspiration, my idol and my favorite girl online. I’ve suffered with social anxiety for a few years now, and until I read this, I truly thought that I would just have to deal with my anxiety and panic attacks, and they were just a way of life that I had to deal with because it was my fault. But reading this showed me how wrong I was, and that there’s always a way to see the sun through the clouds, you could say. I really wish I’d seen this sooner, but I just want you to know that I love you. No matter what happens, I’ll always love you.

Thank you for sharing. I suffer from anxiety too and can completely relate. I also have other mental health issues. I try my best to work on them and whilst I’ve had some support I know I really need to work on them. I’ve recently started a blog and one of the reasons is to talk about things happening in my life and things that have affected me. I know it’ll be a bit of time before I’m brave enough but I really want to get my feelings out there in the hope it may help others.

purpleaj996

Hey Zoe,

I just want to say that you are amazing and strong and beautiful. You have come so far and inspired so many people. I want to do something that will touch as many hearts as you do someday.

xx Shrey

Thatweirdgirl

As someone who personally suffers from anxiety, you blogging about it brings a smile to my facade :). Now I hate to be that annoying person who just promotes their own blog on big people’s accounts but I’m gonna be that person!! I make blog posts about a whole variety of things on my blog thatweirdgirl. I’ll soon be doing 12 days of blogmas which I’m very excited about. It would mean the world if you checked me out and began to follow me! Thank you, thatweirdgirl xx

CharlElizabeth[SDMN]

hey zoe, I’m going through a really tough time right now. My anxiety is very similar to your, i get attacks and i often get upset about things going on in my head or things i overthink. i just wanted to say thank you so much, you’ve been a huge help in my life i now understand I’m not alone, I’m not the only one feeling this way!! I’m getting help at the moment i see a councillor once a week and a woman comes out sometime in the week to see me and focus on how to get me back out doing my normal daily things which i struggle to do. i hope i don’t feel so down forever, I’m only 14 years old and i feel like ill be like this forever!! Love you Zoe xxx

James56

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Amen! It takes a lot of bravery to bring awareness of anxiety, you are an inspiration Zoella!

Husna Omar

i love you so much Zoe… i love you so much…..if you were reading this i appreciate you Alfie, Poppy, Sean etc. a lot because all of you inspire me the most. i have been following you for ages now and i just wanna say thank you for being yourself(always) …much love>3

Claire Sloan

Heya Zoe my name is claire sloan ive just started my own blog id be realy gratefull if you have a look and give me some feedback http://uniuquebeauty.weebly.com/
thank you btw im glade your’e anxety is under control
id love to talk to you properly sometime.
ps ove youre new book girl online going solo only a few chapters left.
Bye for now

Typical College Girl

Hi Zoe,
Thank you for helping me through some of the hardest times I have had. I actually fall asleep with tears in my eyes some nights but I come to your blog or your channel and instantly feel better after reading or watching you. You’re the one who inspired my blog, Typical College Girl. It’s anonymous but it’s a place where I can be me and maybe one day I will build up the courage to reveal myself. Thank you so much.

Jenna Thomas

Hi Zoe!
im 14 years old and lately ( or really for the past year ) i have been getting like mini anxiety attacks when i start to do some that i think will embarrass me or i already did something that even though nobody thought i did bad or that i could’ve done better. I have never had these before in my life so i have no idea how to control it or stop it from happening. The worst thing is that they usually happen in public and i can’t get away to be by myself. so i have to hold it in. honestly it sucks. Is there any easier way to conceal it?

Hey Zoe!! I’m currently reading your book ‘Girl Online’ and I’m not the kind of girl you would associate with these books. I instantly realised most of the chapters in the book I could relate to so I continued reading I realised that it doesn’t matter who you are or what age you are a book is a book and nobody shoul be judged by that.

Zetarian

Thank you for being so inspiring. I know it is hard for people to be open bout stuff like this so good on you zoella

lybz

dear zoe I just wanna say thank you for doing blogs and youtube video which make me happy when I am down… I love you loads xxx

This Blog Of Mine

Hi Zoe! I’ve been watching your videos, and I came across the one where you talk about ‘Just Saying Yes’ and I just want to say a big thank you for making that video, no matter how long ago that was. Your motto motivated me to try and step outside of my comfort zone, because I’ve personally struggled with bad anxiety and depression. Since then, I’ve said yes to singing in a school concert, creating my own blog (of which I am commenting as), and even creating a YouTube account – all of which I would have never done if I hadn’t been thinking ‘just say yes’. I’m proud of how far you’ve come with your blogging and vlogging, and hopefully one day II’ll be as successful as you with my own hopes and dreams. I love your blog by the way, it rocks! Lots of love xxx
Here’s the link if anyone wants to have a look: http://thisblogofmineofficial.tumblr.com/

Katy Ainslie

<3 Zoe, My name is Katy! I'm 21. I am a new subscriber and supporter of you and your creations. I have to say that in the short two weeks that I have discovered your Youtube channel, blog, and other social media outlets, that you are helping to change my life for the better. On October 30th, 2016, I experienced my first anxiety attack. I have never felt that way before and it was absolutely terrifying. I went to the emergency room the following morning, October 31st. I was feeling chest pain, short of breath, dizzyness, like I had a lump in my throat and had to force myself to talk, I felt weak, scared, hot, cold, sad, and really just about every emotion in between. The doctors immediately told me "anxiety" after several blood tests, cat scans, x-rays, and other medical exams. I thought it would be over in a few days. It's December 2nd now, and I visited the E.R. three times following that first time. I became afraid of every thing, like my breathing (i have developed mild asthma, nothing serious). I was scared to drive, I was scared to go to work at my job because peers are getting sick with the flu and other conditions, and it terrified me. I became a bit of a germophobe. I lash out at my loved ones, I get mad and frustrated so easily, and I question every thing, second guess every thing, worry about every thing and its outcomes. It has been over a month now since this all started. I kept returning to the doctor, just thinking that there was something truly wrong with me, like maybe I am sick with something and they haven't found it yet. I am just beginning to realize that there isn't. I have anxiety, and I have a terrifying load of stress on my shoulders, and I need help. I am struggling to learn that not everything is in my control, and in fact, most things aren't. I am struggling to learn that no matter what, I can not control what others around me are doing. I am struggling to learn that if someone upsets me or makes me mad, that it will be okay, and it is not something I need to dwell on for hours, days, or weeks on end. I am scared. I do not want to be scared any more. I miss being spontaneous, and going on adventures, and not being afraid of them. I miss saying yes to my friends and family. I miss just getting in the car and driving back to my hometown, without worrying about whether my truck can make it there, or whether I will get decent gas mileage, or if there is enough oil or coolant in my truck to get me there. I miss getting on an airplane and looking out of the window and seeing a large and beautiful world filled with so many opportunities and people (I am taller now, so I like the aisle seat, so that is besides the point). Now I get on an airplane, even though I have been flying since I was two, with parents and step parents and siblings who work for the airlines and performed aircraft maintenance, and I know how they should sound and I know how they should feel…now I get on an airplane and I worry about the worst. I am terrified of death, but I have to realize that it is a part of life, and I can not life my life worrying about that, and worrying about all of these other things that are stopping me from moving forward in life. My best friend referred me to a therapist that she had great success with. That suprisingly does not scare me. It excites me. I hope your P.O box accepts letters from the United States. I planned on sending one and I hope that maybe you will see my story. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping millions of people, including myself, to start piecing our lives back together. This does not make me weak, and this is not going to take over my life. This is not going to linger over me and stop me from pursuing my dreams. You are a great inspiration, Zoe. Thank you for everything.

amy

so brave , at least im not alone

Rebécca

Hi Zoe, I have been following your YouTube channels for a while now but I have only just found your blog, I know this is quite a long shot in the hope of you seeing it but I would just like to say that you are such an inspiration, you’re so brave and I really admire you for that. I remember seeing you at Amity Festival with my cousin, that was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. I’m going to quit rambling now, but honestly I would just like to thank you, your talks are so inspiring to watch, I hope that some day I will get a chance to meet you and thank you for in person 💜💚💜

Emily

Wow I was very inspired reading this I’ve had bad anxiety for about a year and a half now and I always put on a happy front and I’ve never told anybody that every time I look in the mirror I hate who stares back at me
I’m hoping that someday I’ll be able to feel happy most of the time again but for now I’m happy after reading this it helped me realise that I can get better

Minahil Javed

Hi Zoe!
You’re such an Inspiration! I love to read all your posts!

Check out my blog: confetti703.wordpress.com
I’m a newbie and just started but I believe there are many supporters out there! Your recommendations are highly awaited and appreciated!

xoxo, MJ

Minahil Javed

Also, leave a link to your blog as well, I’ll make sure I check it out!

Hannah

Well done Zoe

Anxiety girl

It is really good to know some on else has anxiety and Is ok to share it with other people also sorry about the press and media!

Maddie

Thankyou so much you have put so much effort into not only helping your anxiety but helping many more people that suffer.I may not be a family member or a close friend but I am certainly Proud of you and I’m sure a huge amount of other fans are too.I am sooooooo much more comfortable that I can chill out and watch ‘zoella’ on YouTube knowing that you feel the same as me.If you ever get the spare time to read this just know that you can take your time your doing the best you can your fans will stay with you no matter what.I find that it helps when you take a deep breathe and think of the people that support you and understand what your head puts you through.Im only 13 and just had my first therapy session and one day I hope to become as strong as you yet still be my own person. I LOVE YOU LOTS ZOE ❤️ Thanks for everything you have done for others xx @[email protected]

Hi Zoe! I deal with anxiety as well, and it is so amazing to hear someone so successful dealing with the same thing. When you talk about your anxiety and how you are overcoming it, it gives me so much confidence that I can do this too. And also your reminder that it takes time- I forget that a lot, thinking it should change right away, but the fact that you have overcome a lot of it is so inspiring. I have learned to really challenge myself to do things that put me in that pressured situation, so that I can learn how to deal and get through the situation. It’s so cool to hear from you, because I haven’t met someone in my life who has anxiety so similar to mine. Thank you so much Zoe, please keep writing and giving updates <3

Lisa Claes

Hi Zoë, my name is Lisa and I come from Belgium. I really love your YouTube channel and your blog! I watch your YouTube videos for 4 years now. I am writing this because it is a task for my English portfolio. If it weren’t for this task, I would never comment underneath a post because that is a bit out of my comfort zone. I am a big fan of you and that’s why I chose to write a message on your blog. This post interested me a lot because it is really brave that you talk about this subject. It is a really hard one. You are an inspiration for many people and I love that! You are such a strong person! This post opens al lot of person’s eyes. I hope you keep up with this because it really can help people. I also hope that I can meet you someday, that would be an honor because you are my role model!

Hi Zoe! <3
I have suffered from a high anxiety disorder for about half a year now. It makes me a different person from who I used to be. I find it harder to do a number of things, like stay focused on one thing for a while. All these pointless worries just seem to build up, as if they are going to overflow. That's when I get a panic attack. At least I think that's what it is, because I've probably looked at hundreds of websites that I can relate to. I don't even know what to actually be afraid of, and what just makes me look like a wuss. I don't like people thinking I have a mental breakdown every time I get slightly anxious. As I'm sure you know, this is not the case. But I can't explain it so that they will understand. Please can you give me some tips? If not I'm sure the comments will be useful as I know you are a busy person! : )

Hoping you are well,
Georgi x

180009

ever since I had a panic attack in a simulator I have a sever case of costafobia and every time I get in a thing I cant escape I can’t breath so any advice will be great

Honestly, the post made me so calm, I can’t explain that but just feel so good right now
thanks <3

and also I'm so proud of you :) (if you want to learn polish :D: JESTEM Z CIEBIE DUMNA)

Phoebe

You’re such an inspiration! I know how awful anxiety can be and how much you’ve helped so many people!
Lots of love x
– phoebesplaceblog.blogspot.com –

Femke Loenders

Hello Zoe!
For an English assignment i had to comment on a blog we liked, to be honest, at first i d’idnt think i would find a blog that i would like or that would be interesting. So i asked som friends if they knew any blogs i could comment on. But actually I am really happy my friend recommended your blog, because i really like it. You seem to inspire so many people with your stories en that is so amazing!
I think it has to be the most inspiring blog i have ever read!
You are so brave to talk about your anxiety in public, i can imagine not a lot of people would be brave enough to do this.
I am a 16 year old girl, with an ordinary life. I’ve never dealth with problems as big as this, i’ve never had Anxiety or anything like it. Before reading your post i didn’t know Anxiety could bring so many difficulties with it.
You have really opened my eyes, you proved me there is nothing with talking about your problems, because everyone deals with them at one point. Keeping them in just makes it worse, so thankyou for teaching me that.
I am not an big fan of blogs but i think i will keep following your stories, because there is so much life experience i can get inspiration from.
Keep up te good work Zoe, keep on inspiring people!

Sydney Perozak

You are a true inspiration girl. Watching you over these many years has helped me grow so much, and I am so happy and honoured to be able to share this journey with you and everyone else who is apart of this crazy family. <3 Love you Zoe.

Tilly Moore

Found this post really interesting Zoë, thanks. Would appreciate it if anyone went and checked out my blog x

Lexie Fierce

Zoe, I just sent you a message with request to write or record a video with your update with this case. It’s sooooo nice to hear that you are doing just fine. I suffer anxiety too and your posts/videos on YouTube help me a lot. It just calms my mind and then I believe I can handle this. Thank you so much. I’m going to work hard with my mental health.
If you can make progress with this shit – so can I ! :)

Much love from Poland :)

Amira Sadok

Hi Zoella I have a huge anxiety issue, my brain just freezes up and I lose control my legs start to shake and I have a panic attack. It happens a lot when I am travelling as well…

josie

hi zoe! i hope you are well. i just wanted to say that this really helps because i suffer from anxiety and at this moment in time i am being bullied about it at school. this has been going on now for 5 weeks and it just doesnt seem to be getting any better. thank you so so so so so so so so much because all your blog posts and and general chats and videos help me get through all of it and i just wanted to thank you so much.
i love you very much and wish you all the best for the future.
josie burns
ps sorry ik this was uploaded ages ago but i couldnt comment on this when i first read it because i had no connection sorry ly.

Hi Zoe, I am 13 and I have recently discovered I have anxiety. I have been trying to deal with it on my own but after reading this post I realize that I really don’t. I told my mother about it and I don’t think she quite understands what “anxiety” means and feels like and how it affects my daily routine. My best friends all say they are there for me but obviously they don’t give great advice. My anxiety leads me to spending weeks at home watching YouTube(huge fan, very guilty) and barely going out and socializing. I am so terrified to see a therapist because I am worried people (including family) will see me differently if they knew I went to therapy because in my school therapy is seen as “a place for broken and heavily depressed people” and not a “safe haven for anyone to express there feelings” as it is meant to be. Do you have any advice for me? You are my role model and you have already helped me through so much that I am hoping you could help me with this too. Thank you, bye. ❤️️

Ray8

Hi Zoe. This made me tear up. I have anxiety as well and am learning/learned to control it. Although at times it can become extremely hard. I’ve been trying to tell people for the longest time what anziey felt like but no one understood, and you explained it on point in which I could never. It’s a rough journey to deal with. On my rollercaoster I never slep(I would be extremely lucky if I even slept for 1hour), didn’t eat, couldn’t go anywhere, and cried so much it could of filled a river. After being with a therapist i learned to control the demons and am happy and strong. A weight was lifted off my solder, and the rope released from my neck. It is indeed a hard journey and everyone is going to get through it. Just stay strong and think positive even though it might seem impossible at times. Thank you so much for writing about this topic and giving more great advice,tips, and courage to me and others out there. Your are truly an inspiration

-lots of love Rey8

_Lisa_X_X_

You help me so much to be more confident. I have panicattacks too and they are getting worse. Do you have some advice or something it would really help me?
Love you xx❤️
Ps. If I have mistakes in English, sorry my English is not very good ’cause I’m Dutch

Emma flack

The book “self help for your nerves” By Dr Claire Weekes helped me a lot, the best piece of advice came from her “First and foremost, she meant to convey the opposite of fighting. The way to regain a sense of calm is to go along with the sensations of anxiety and panic, rather than oppose them. it does work as the fear when it comes makes it 10 times worse…ive tried letting it just come deal with it then its gone and is not half as bad…dont be afraid and it will pass over.

Georgia Flenley

This made me cry. Zoe, you give me so much hope. Hope that one day, if i just keep working, i will too feel the way you do. Your books and channel helped me through once, and with posts like this, you are helping me work through this next hurdle. I remember last year during a panic attack where i couldn’t calm myself down, i read your blog. and Zoe, you helped me get through. and i thank you so so much.

Little_Lacie_Lucia

Hey Zoe, I’m new to your blog and i just wanted to say thank you because reading about your anxiety has helped me so much with mine! I have read all three of your books and have a couple of your old products but some other girls in my class have loads of your new stuff and sometimes tease me about it. I hope you don’t mind but as well as looking up to you, I think of you as a friend – even though we haven’t met before. I love reading your books and reading about Penny because ( this might sound weird) sometimes I feel like we have a lot in common – without the green eyes and frizzy hair! Any way, I just wanted you to know how thankful I am to you! Love Eva XXX P.S. Merry Christmas! :)

Nikki Lin

You are such an amazing person Zoe. Your words are so inspiring. Thank you for being so incredible. Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life. We are really proud of you. Keep going Zoe. We are always here with you. :)

Carley Rogers

Hi Zoe!
It’s really comforting having you talk about anxiety, with my own anxiety it’s mostly focused around school. At first I thought it was just focused on my exams and assignments, but now I’ve realised I have all this anxiety that I let go unnoticed because I’ve accepted these feelings as normal. For example, something as simple as checking someone’s else work/notes in class to reassure myself I’m doing it right. And when I say checking, I mean constantly checking, I now know I’m not stupid, I’m just incredibly fearsome if i do something wrong and I feel like I’m incapable of doing things on my own. I’m afraid of trusting my own intellect of just writing down notes in class or solving a simple equation in Maths. When I was fourteen I had to quit my new job at McDonalds as I was having panic attacks over working at the counter. I was afraid that the customers would get angry if I was too slow, and I found all the different options on the screen majorly overwhelming.
At 15 I traveled to America as part of a group, I was so excited! However my first time with homesickness intertwined with anxiety, had my excitement diminished. This was seen mostly when I was by myself with a host family that I’d never met before, my anxiety too hold of my entire mind and body, I couldn’t eat for four days, I was crying in my room every night and I hid in my room, missing out on all of the amazing experiences I could have been. It was very late into the week with the host family that I began I began to feel comfortable and started to look at the glass half full. Because of this I enjoyed the rest of my trip. To this day that trip is the biggest struggle Ive had in my life, but guess what! I got through it!
Since then I have really improved my awareness and ways to deal with my anxiety. Although in some areas I still struggle to shake my habits of ‘normal’ anxiety, I’m improving every day. Zoe you have been such a been a major role model in my life, you encourage me to be a better person and go out of my comfort zone without the fear of anxiety, I have grown so much as a person because of you! I’m forever thankful for your continued inspiring words and footage.
Much Love and admiration,
Carley, 16

SP

Hello Zoe! I don’t know if you will ever read this but it’s worth the try. My names Sanam, and I am a huge fan of your blog and you tube channels. You have boosted my confidence a whole lot. However there is one thing I really would want some advice for. A couple of years ago ( my only parent) my mum had blood cancer, and I had to live with my auntie and uncle. It was quite confusing as no one would tell me what happened, I was only the young of 5 when I started to get anxiety and panic attacks due to this problem, I am now 11 and have learnt 1/2 tricks that never fail to calm me down. However, as part of being a year 6 pupil, our class get to go to Isle of Wight. You might be thinking whats bad about that? Well the thing is that I don’t do well with travel. Especially, if it’s not a car. We are going on a Ferrie’ ( Is that how you spell it) and when there is a class load of children with you who don’t understand your problem and that you are away from your mother for a whole week really freaks the life out of me. If you don’t mind, maybe you could write about how to survive traveling. I have watched all of your videos and have read all your blogs and they are one of my ways to calm down. Thank you very much for taking up your time to read this. Lots of love Sanam xx

Cat

Zoe you are amazing. Thank you so much for all that you do for everyone.

Katie

This is so wonderful Zoe! I’m so glad that there is finally a you tuber that can be open and honest about this stuff and not try to be a “perfect YouTuber”. I love this, and even though I’m only 13 I have anxiety and can’t really talk to any of my friends about it because they don’t exactly understand, but reading your blog posts and watching your videos reminds me, and all of us that we aren’t alone and that this is not who we are. Continue to be the influential and wonderful person you are. You are a role model for me and many others!
xx
-Katie G

Taylor Bueche

Zoe,

You give me an incredible amount of hope. I have severe anxiety, and none of my friends or family knows how to deal with it, so I am stuck trying to deal with it myself or find a dumbed down way of explaining it to someone else. You are a major inspiration to me, not just with anxiety, but with makeup, youtube, blogging, and lifestyle. I hope to someday meet you so I can properly thank you for the gigantic impact you’ve made on my life.

Hi Zoe, I used to think that anxiety controlled me and in some ways it still feels like it does a little. Each day I am learning to say “no” and to stop saying sorry over the smallest things.This post really spoke to me:)
Rachael x ~ blissfulgemini.blogspot.co.uk

elle bate 🌹

Thankyou so much for this. A few months ago I took my first step and told my mom I had anxiety and now I see a therapist and though I’m only in the early stages of the therapy I really think it has the potential to help me not he ruled by my anxiety x

Tahira

Hey, Zoe! This is an amazing post, as currently I was worried about how will I be able to tackle my anxiety. Although it has been better than before but I have recently realise that I had panic attack issues as well. Back in 2013 when I found your channel I was not aware about any of this thing called “anxiety” and gregually I realised that what was actually happening to me (through you videos) I was maybe 13 or 14 when this feeling started (right now I am 21). Anyway so at that time (2013) I just ignored the panic attack topic( I do not know why). That is why sill I was struggling and I wanted to know desperately what was happening to be exact. So THANKYOU🌺for this post and I am PROUD of you for fighting this monster, I wish I could hugs you and tell you how brave you are and how stronger you make me feel. I love you Zoe💖

Zavarnah Stokes

This came at the exact moment I needed it, thanks xx

Julie

For the past years have been hard with anxiety. Ii was diagnosed with anxiety in 4th grade. This year I got depression. A few months ago I realized that I am Pansexual and Agender. One day my mom found out and flipped. She gave me a huge lecture about being confused and how the “devil was whispering in my ear”. It hurt a lot but I knew she wouldn’t accept me. She hasn’t told anyone. My family are homophobic so I can’t tell them or they’ll probably kick me out… especially my dad. Today was one of my hardest days due to depression and being LGBT+. This post made me fell like I could get better. Thank you!

Aditi Mahadware

I hope that you are better!! The world is with you, don’t worry :))

elysianandcynosure.wordpress.com

NDanimalady

Julie I hope things get betterhave got better.

Kayla Stamand

aw. This made me tear up. Thank you for sharing your journey with anxiety and breaking the stigma out society puts on it. It is truly brings hope reading this and knowing that this is just a tiny part of who we are. Please keep talking about it and continuing to fight that stigma, you don’t know how many people it helps. Altogether we can embrace the good and the bad we have in our life and be side by side in the slow process of change. Blessings, Kayla

Kiara smiles :)

This is such an amazing post, you helped me a lot! Stay strong and continue inspiring everyone you meet! You’re such a brilliant person and we all love you xoxoxox

jessica horner

you know you say some things can trigger different peoples anxiety, well i think my anxiety stems from trains i dont know what it is about trains that make me so nervous but i just hate it, once im on the train and its moving i start to calm down becaue i know that i cant get off, but the thought of getting on the wrong train or leaving something or getting off at the wrong stop really has me panicing. just the sheer thought of getting on a train on my own makes me shaky. i think it started when i went to a 1D concert and although the concert was amazing and i enjoyed every minute of it, the train ride home really dampened my night because no body was sure what platform the train i was meant to be on was and even the staff were unsure. also when i was eventually informed on where to go and had gotten on the the train. I Was then told that the platform had changed and it was all a bit to fast and confusing and im only 14 years old and have been nervous about a train journey ever since! i start to overthink what could happen or what couldnt happen and yet i still worry I HATE TRAINS!

Kelly Jodie Marshall

Hi Zoe, this is the first time I have visited your blog, and your story above was the very first thing I have read. I know people who suffer with anxiety, and I would love for them to read this. Brave and inspirational, and really great to read how your words have touched and influenced fellow readers through their messages below. I hope your story travels as far as possible.

Hey, Zoe! You’re probably not going to see this but I remember you saying if your video about anxiety and panic attacks helped even one person, it would worth it. Im sure it was not JUST one person you helped, you probably helped thousands, including me. I was having a panic attack out of nowhere and it has been six months, i can’t really seem to come to terms with it being anxiety because it feels so real and physical. You have calmed me down more times than i can think of and i really want you to know that you are making a difference. thank you for sharing your story, its not an easy thing to discuss publicly, but your effort paid off and you managed to calm down many sinking feelings. i really hope you read this.

willie

Heyyyy zoeee!!! Im willie by name and i think im d first nigerian to read your blog i think its a really glad thing nd secondly when i read your book it made to overcome my fears the book touched me alot im so proud of you!! Keep it up. If u want to contact me you can just send me a reply and then i can give u my phone number….. and once more i sincerely say thanks for the book GIRL ONLINE it really made my feelings really great…. If u want to contact me you can send me a reply message… Thank u!

Kittiekat08

Hi Zoe and anyone else reading! I just wanted to say I love your blog so much! I feel like I am starting to get super shy compared to everyone else so you inspired me. I created my own blog http://lizziedreamer.wixsite.com/mysite and posted my first post today so if anyone would like to read and subscribe that would be awsome! Luv yah all!

CT

Hey Kittiekat08, I’ve checked out your blog but there are no posts! Hope you didn’t stop your blog because I was looking for some other blogs to read.
Check out mine if you want: theyoungbloggergirl.wordpress.com

Kittiekat08

Hi! I just made it so I will be posting one today. I will definitely be checking out your blog! xox

CT

Thanks but I changed the address to: mylifeaschloe12.weebly.com
I will definitely check out your blog.
Also I am on bloglovin’ so you can put your blog on there as well!
Xox

CT

Hi, I would really appreciate it if some of you guys could check out my blog: theyoungbloggergirl.wordpress.com
I just started it and would really love some readers..
Thanks it would mean the world

Sarah

I have to admit that this post along with the first one (about anxiety) brought me to tears whilst reading it on the bus a few days ago! When people like me are watching your videos for at least more than a year, we sometimes find ourselves in you Zoe, no matter the age or where we come from! And seeing what you’re going through is quite heartbreaking: in your 15th’s vlogmas w/ Mark when you said you felt stressed and needed to call your therapist I was slightly concerned like “is she ok? what can I do? (absolutely nothing)) and I do think a lot of us just want you to be ok. I understand you want 2017 to be a “self-love” year, I find this so cool considering how hard it was at the beginning of this year + how much you’ve done! I really hope you’ll tell us more about it, maybe this might help many others :)
I’m sending you a lot of love for the end of the year, I hope everything will be fine for Christmas.Keep doing such an outstanding job, you go girl!!! ♥
Sarah, a (stressed/anxious) french girl who loves you and your books a lot..
( https://odetothoughts.wordpress.com/ )

Hi there Zoe! Thank you so much for writing this post, because even though I don’t have regular anxiety, I have a sort, which I have never really talked about with anyone, yet. I myself have noticed it getting worse and so have my parents, but doing something about scares me, so this helped a lot. Thank you so much for inspiring me to follow my dreams and live my life. love you

I’m not looking for attention, please don’t get me wrong, but everyone’s comments on here are just, so lovely. I’m so proud of you Zoe, because look what you have done for people, you made an entire living for yourself, you’re just so, you. Thank you

Hanna Taylor

Hi Zoe! So, I would like to say that your posts help me a lot. I had my first panic attack a few years ago, and as time went by, I started having them more frequently, over silly little things. I’ve told my parents whats been happening, but they simply don’t believe me, and think i’m chatting rubbish as usual, they say. I have been talking to my close friends, and they seem to listen and try to help, and give advice. So, i’ve been reading your blogs, and they’ve helped me, a lot! So i’d like to say thank you for helping me a quite a bit. The panic attacks are still there, but there are less now, and i’ve learnt how to control them. It’s nice to know that people around you are going through the same thing, and that you aren’t alone. You truly are an inspiration.

Love, Hanna

Alia Shah

Hi Zoe! Not long ago I finished your new book ‘Girl Online Going Solo’ I really enjoyed it! I love your videos and blogs they really inspire e to be more positive especially when I’m going through a rough time. Thanks loads and have a nice day/night xx

Allyssa Cio

I’m so proud of you Zoe! This made me so happy just reading it. I myself suffer with Anxiety and other mental health issues and I am still working up the courage to be able to seek help. I tried therapy but I had to stop because I couldn’t do it anymore. My problem is not being able to open up and talk about what it going on. I feel much safer just keeping it bottled up so no one knows the sad and awful thoughts going on in my mind. I hope one day soon I can start getting help and doing things for myself. I need to take care of my mental health but there is so many things keeping me from doing so, especially my mental health. You are such an inspiration and I look up to you in so many ways! Keep doing what you’re doing! Love you!!

Ranyel Udemezue

This post was really well written and can easily inspire those struggling to change for the better and to change for themselves, I loved it.
Ranyel xhttp://www.nocaremoreflare.tumblr.com

dweebcats

Honestly Zoe, you are just such an inspiration to me and I am so happy that I have came across one of your videos when I was in a really bad place. Last year I suffered an injury and I was so alone. I’ve always heard about youtubers but I never really looked into them. It’s been a year now over that injury. It was vlogmas 2015 and I was just hooked. You are just an amazing person and you are so welcoming and just who I want to be when I grow up. You are so strong and you inspire me and give me strength to be as strong as you. I admire you Zoe and frankly see you as an older sister. Thank you for making your videos and writing on your blog. Merry Christmas!

RelatableTrend

Hi Zoe! I love your blog and videos and find you SO inspiring. Your one of the strongest people I’ve ever heard of and are a great role-model for young girls like me. I’m not a fame seeker or anything but I’d really like you to notice me one day because I look up to you so much and it would make my day! If you don’t I get it. I wish you the best for everything in the future!

Hi Zoe! I have anxiety too and I have had it since I was 8 and now I’m 14 and I still have it. I have had 2 counselors and they HAVE helped me but not in a way that its helped you. I think the people who helped me through the most are my family, friends and YOU. Listening to your experiences and how you have helped YOURSELF is inspiring. You are incredibly brave to tell all these strangers all about something as personal as anxiety. I could never do that. You really are inspiring Zoe. Thank you for everything you have done I couldn’t have done it without you. Love Phoebe xx

Phoebe Bronstein

I also cried during reading this as it was so relatable xx

Ainsley McCaa

Hi,Zoe. I’m fourteen and have been seriously struggling with anxiety for over a year now. It is something that I’m terrified to talk to my friends or family about. I feel like they will reject me or think of me differently, that they will label me by my anxiety instead of my personality. This has really been very helpful and inspiring for me to read. It helps to know that there are people out there that struggle as you do and that you aren’t totally alone. Thank you for sharing your incredible progress and instilling hope in the rest of us that we will get through what we are dealing with and that we can take control of our lives. Thank you! Cheers, Ainsley.

Kyla

☺️❤️

Caroline

Zoe, don’t worry I have trouble with anxiety and I usually get 2 or 3 panic attacks each week. Thanks for the advice and remember you are not the only one out there! 😘😘

Caroline

I have had anxiety and panic attacks since I was 9 and now I’m 11. I’ve been suffering for two years now and I feel like if I tell my family they won’t understand. For these two years each Christmas I got your book and Penny has the same problem. She was strong no matter what. I want to thank for your advice and ever since I started watching your videos which was two years ago, you have helped me a lot. All I want you to know is that your not alone with anxiety and panic attacks. 😘😘

Georgina Montero

omg zoe how moving. your blogs inspire me so much! this blog is so heart wrenching, watching your videos and reading your blog you can see how much youve grown as a person. im currently seeing a private threapist for my serve depression and anxiety, hearing how much has helped you gives me so much more hope that it will help me to. thank you so much zoe for sharing your thoughts with us. <3 love you zoe x

Lucille Florence

Hello zoe. I have had anxiety for five years now and after seeking help, I still feel like no one can understand me. I want to let you know that your tips make me feel better. Truly. Your books have inspired me to write my own novel as one day i want to be a writer. I write a blog also. I really hope this puts a smile on your face because you’re my hero and i want to say thankyou for the anxiety advice. Some days I feel so down that life just seems pointless to me. Thank you so much and also congratulations on your book! P.s i love your videos and hope to meet you some day! Xo

Abby

Zoe honestly I have just read this whole thing and I am so proud of you – and I don’t even know you. You must have achieved a lot if a complete stranger can look up to you in so many different ways. Keep powering on Zoella!

The Readers

An amazing post Zoë! Anxiety is such a tricky and sensitive subject that a lot of people go through and your experience will definitely inspire others. I posted my first blog today, please check it out if you want 💜https://thereaders23.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

Live,Laugh and Love

Zoe,
You are such an incredible, inspiring person and so brave to be sharing this with the whole world. I’m so glad that anxiety hasn’t taken over your life, and I will work as hard as I possibly can to make sure it doesn’t take over mine.
Could you please take the time to look at my blog?http://beautyfashionandme.simplesite.com/
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Me xxx

Siggi

I can really realate, I know which situations to avoid and up until now I’ve always just decided to miss out on so many opportunities. Usually when i get anxiety i start feeling really sick and like nothing in y life is ever going to bring me joy again. I live in Australia and we are on summer break right now but before we finished i had a really bad anxiety attack at school and after that i was scared to go back to school incase i had another one. Watching your videos and knowing that someone with such high influence suffers from the same issues is really assuring and it makes me feel so much more confident about my future. If you can do it so can I.
Lots of Love from melbourne
Hope we’ll meet one day Xx
Siggi

Allison

I am so grateful that your anxiety is getting better! I wish I could go out and help more people with anxiety, but I don’t know anyone or what I would do… I wish I could do something for those who suffer through it. For you certainly help – you give advice, yet you prove as inspiration in many different aspects. Though I am lucky and don’t have anxiety, you have still helped me. Thank you Zoe!

-Allison <3
dancinganddaydream.wixsite.com/mysite

eloise

i love the way you express everything with us its great to hear that not every famous person is perfect and they all have their flaws

Anonymous

I love how you are so open about your anxiety it is really amazing!! You have inspired me to start my own blog and this was a really big deal because I suffer with anxiety too and sometimes it is really hard to things!! Please go and read my blog it is http://kthannafin.wixsite.com/mysite Love you so much

JustNIrishCailin

Zoe. Ever since i found your Youtube channel 2 years ago, I’ve loved you ever since. You brought a light into my life that I didn’t know was there. After watching your anxiety video from 2012, you helped me realise what I was feeling was anxiety and that it was okay to feel what I was feeling. I have also read your first two books, and you and penny have both inspired me to start a blog, Because just like penny I too “have so many things i want to say fizzing up inside of me, but i don’t have the confidence to say them out loud”. Thank you for all you have done to make sooo many peoples lives better and make them see the light they didn’t know was there either.

Holly Star

Hey Zoe! I think that you are amazing and you are a big inspiration to me! If anyone wants to, they can check out my blog! https://hollyisnotamazing.wordpress.com/
If anyone wants to tell me their blog name, I will check it out!
Thanks xx

Alicia Bradford

Stay strong💗💗

Annam Khalid

Thanks Zoe! Reading this makes me feel SOOOO MUCH BETTER!! I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY ME. I am only 11 and I worry about things in the future, past. I worry for people. I worry for the world. I worry about other people’s problems leaving me in a dump of misery. I worry about things I shud worry about when I am an adult.
Night is the worst time for me… Its when all the thoughts rush to my head. Things that I dont NEED to worry about…
Like you I tried to avoid these things that I knew would make me hyperventilate and panic.
Every night I check if all the doors and windows r locked, check if my mum has her credit card, check if the heating is good.
One day my sister asked me ‘why do u check all this?’ and I said cuz no one else does.
I worry about awkward things I have done that day,
I worry about what other people think of me….
But u made me feel so much better…. I now know i am not the only one.

You r VERY BRAVE to talk about this … and u gave me the strength to do that to.
Thank u
Everyone is proud of u

Nicole Smith

Zoe, I know you won’t see this but I saw this on your blog and I was curious to see what it was about. I haves watched your videos on anxiety and read your old blog post and all 3 of these helped me to diagnose and reduce my panic attacks. I have had anxiety the past few years but I feel like I had it as a child too . I go through all your anxiety stuff to help me calm down if I am ever having a panic attack and it always helps me to calm down. I read this for the same reason and I have actually calmed down. Thank you for helping me Zoe ❤ hopefully I get to tell you this in person one day

Carrie

thank you so much for posting this Zoe, a couple of months ago my anxiety made itself apparent, and ever since i’ve been struggling. however, since it’s so early on, i’ve decided that for 2017 i’m going to try my hardest to quieten it and to stop it developing into something bigger that i’ll then be forced to handle for the rest of my life. i used to wish i had anxiety (maybe to be “relateable”, maybe to feel what you and so many others feel, i really, honestly don’t know) and now that i actually do, it’s so, so horrible and so much worse than i imagined it would be – i always thought it would be just getting nervous a lot, when it’s so much more – i feel like passing out or throwing up, i feel like i can’t escape the classroom to sort myself out, which then makes the situation worse.
I love you so much and you’ve helped me so, so much, so thank you xoxo

Alexis Dickerson

I know I am late reading this but I am confused about whether I have mild anxiety. I am 13 in February and every so often when I think of things that I have done wrong or what is going to happen in the future. I.E. My dad paid for me to go to london with school in June, it cost a lot and I feel like I didn’t make the most of the opportunity and when I think of that or things that are similar I start to feel sick, worry and I feel like my throat is closing. Am I having panic attacks or am I over reacting. Have any of you felt this way and how did you deal with it? I started a blog called ‘online alexis’ and it helps a bit. Please let me know any tips. X

Charlotte

Hey Zoe, I have just finished Girl Online going Solo and it has left me emotionally unstable (in a good way tho :P)..I’m at that time of my life where I just don’t know where to go or what I’ll be and to be honest I have related to Penny A LOT! I figured how a person can change within two years with his/her own experiences. As we’ve started 2017, I told my mum how scared I was about it..I’ve been through a lot this year; losing people I love the most, stress etc, and I’m just not ready for 365 new days and new 365 chances..I am just scared of what my year holds you know? As Penny felt in the book, she didn’t know what she wanted to be when everyone around her seemed to be settled. My point is; thank you! For jotting down every single word about how I am feeling..It is such an inspirational book that I for sure am going back to read it if I just feel down or lost. The book is kind of my thoughts in mind right now..just written down amazingly. Loved the post :)

Isabella Robinson

Hi Zoe. I would just like to let you know that this post has helped me a heck of a lot. I have had anxiety for about a year or so now and I had a massive panic attack last night. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my parents about it, so I had to deal with it on my own. A lot of Penny’s ways of dealing with anxiety have helped me as well, but I really needed to read this today. Thank you so much 😊

Ellie

Well done zoe, so brave of you to share this with us xx

Natty

I have an anxiety that I call “the sleeping anxiety”. Sometimes I get so nervous that I can’t fall asleep. But with little tricks like breathing techniques, I can overcome it.https://fashionbyteens.com/ (my blog). BTW Zoe your new book is amazing
!

just like you

Hi zoe i havent read your all posts but i can tell that i did the right thing to join ur blog (joined right now!)love ya😀

Hi Zoe!
I really dont think u understand how much of a difference you make by doing theese types of blogs.
I am fourteen and suffer really bad with anxiety, I dont often leave my house because of it (unless i have to, or im with family) it gets in the way of everything!!
I used to socialize so well but now i seem to have lost all ability to do so, i have had a bad couple of years and its really affected me.
Unfotunately I dont attend school anymore, I have not done since a week before last term when my cahms lady pulled me out due to my health issues. If I am being honest, its killed me and I want to go back soo badly but im scared that people would have forgotten about me or will judge me for my dissaperance.
I dont sleep anymore, typing this now its just gone 1 o clock in the morning ( uk time, I live in portsmouth) this is also having an impact and im starting to become very ill. All of this started because of my anxiety,
can you help? Do you have any advice?

Jess

Zoe! You have no idea how inspiring and encouraging this is. I am 16 years old, living in Australia and about to start my final year of high school. AHHH!!! Over the past year I have become more and more anxious and have frequent panic attacks. I am so scared to tell my mum the full extent of my anxiety and also scared to talk to anyone. I have felt so alone and wondered how I could ever get past it. To read your blog post and hear your story, it has inspired me to get help and not let anxiety take over everything. Thankyou so much and I don’t even know if you will see this but if you do, please know that you have honestly helped me so much. Thankyou so much for having the courage to share your story because I know how frightening it can be but because you had courage you have now inspired me. xx

Anna

Hi Zoe, i have a quick question that i need some advice on…I would be grateful for any advice i got from you or anyone reading this. My family has always been into golf and don’t get me wrong its good but I am not as mad about it as they are. My brother plays of 4 and he is 13 so he is always pushing me and wanting me to be better which is great but i find it so pressuring. Every time i step up on the tee box and about to hit a shot i am overcome with nerves. I like golf but not as much as my brother. Its easy to say just talk to your parents but I don’t want to let them down even though i know they wouldn’t be because they are so supportive of me and what i choose to do. Will i just talk to them? Thanks in advance if i get any advice from you or anyone reading this. Lots of love, Anna

Thank you so much for opening up about your anxiety, and sharing your journey. I don’t struggle with anxiety, but one of my best friends does, and this has helped me kinda understand, and help him a little though his journey. You really are an inspiration to all.

Amy Hancock

I have been through anxiety myself, and for someone to speak so honestly about there troubles and what they have gone through can help me in so many ways. I’m so glad I’m not alone.

Amy Hancock

I’m so glad to know I’m not the only one…. I’ve been alone for such a long time and hurt. But to know someone who has been through what I have been through is a good thing for me.

RandomReader…

Love your pictures!!!

Maddie

Hey Zoe! I don’t think you’re actually going to read this but I’d like to thank you for helping with my anxiety. I am very self conscious of it, so I haven’t told anyone about it. I have had anxiety since about the age of 10 and your videos have helped me with it. It helps to know I’m not the only one. I know you probably get hundreds of comments like this so I’m not going to go on about it. I’d just like to thank you because you’ve helped me so much.

Mariah Christiana

This is inspiring! I’ve had anxiety and panic attacks since I was a baby and it’s been a battle all my life but the more you push through it, the better it gets. So proud of your progress Zoe! It’s so nice to relate and hear other peoples experiences and how them overcome them. Much love! xx

just like you

Zoe i have read ur three books already can you tell that was girl online 3 last or will u write more?

just like you

And also i hope u get over this thing soon sorry 4 talking about ur books on this post but i am super excited

Nitika Grace

I’ve been suffering with anxiety for about a year now and I really feel like you’ve helped me significantly! Love you Zoe <3 It warms my heart knowing that you're finally combatting your anxiety and are now able to control it :) <3

Hi Zoe,
I’ve been watching your videos and reading your blog for the past 2 years and all I can say is that you’re an absolutely amazing person. Your videos brighten my mood instantly and make me forget everything else for a little while. You have inspired me to start my own blog, and to write about what I love most, eventhough my writing is probably not the best. I just wanted to say thank you, thank you for this blogpost, which helped me alot and I was able to relate to a lot of the points mentionned. Thank you, and keep going, you’re a wonderful person!
x Jadehttp://thebritalian.wixsite.com/britalian

Maddie Oslejsek

Zoe, thank you. I have no clue what else to say after reading this besides that. I was diagnosed with OCD when I was 7 and have struggled with it ever since. I had, similar to you, gotten a really good grasp on how to handle it and what to avoid… or so I thought. Now nearly 21, I have had some changes in my life recently (applying for my master’s degree, breaking up with my boyfriend because of the distance that will result from where I will be earning that degree so we could learn to be best friends before I leave, new jobs, etc) that have given my anxiety a new and improved voice, much louder than before. I have started seeing a therapist recently and the little nagging voice in my mind told me I was wasting my time and fooling myself by thinking I could ever be “normal.” Reading this article written by someone whom I admire so so so much for their strength, confidence, and complete dedication to always trying to be herself has really made me feel differently about who I am. Thank you. I was beginning to really lose hope… and this has made all the difference. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. xxxxx

grace

WOW that helped a lot because i have anxiety as well thank you zoe

mackingmylife me

Thank you for helping me, I still haven’t told my parents about how I feel. Anxiety and deppression run in my family, but today I think I did the right thing. I went to my counselor and talked to her about it. My life is terrible I’ve been thinking about it and realized I didn’t realize acting this way was wierd until I watched youtube videos on it. This has been going on since at least 9. Right now I’m 11 my first year of middle school and already the worst.

Hello and Happy New Year to anyone who is reading this comment I just wanted to say it would mean the world to me if you checked out my blog https://mylifeaslizziecom.wordpress.com/ it’s not as good as Zoes but thanks anyway xx

Hello Zoey, I just want to start this off by thanking you. I have followed you and Alfie for a few years now and just recently stumbled across this blog. I deeply admire all that you do and just how humble you are. Your joy is so contagious, it honestly makes my day!
I also struggle with anxiety and panic disorder; it’s been many years now and it truly is quite exhausting. Reading this made me well up. For the past couple of months, my anxiety has been crippling. Just when I thought I was getting better and finally moving forward, I fell back into it. I have missed too many opportunities. During my time of recovering and coping with the effects, I have been watching all of your (and Alfie’s) videos. I can’t tell you how uplifting they are. Reading this today was exactly what I needed. Receiving the reminder that I’m not alone and seeing that someone else understands is so comforting. I hope I have the strength to take your advice and push my self to finally talk to someone about it.
You are simply a wonderful person Zoey, I will keep you in my prayers :)

em

don’t give up just because you feel like quiting

Zara Lee

I’ve heard a lot about this so called “ghost writer” from youtubers who want views, saying Zoe has a ghost writer for her books and blog. I’ve read all of the girl onlines twice, I’ve just read this (first blog I’ve read of Zoe’s) and I can’t definitely see it’s the same style of writing, and same style of words Zoe uses in her deep “q & a’s” and chatty videos. I do not believe any of those youtubers who say that Zoe has a ghost writer and many other people probably think the same. But those videos are on the YouTuber’s channel for the views cause they know that Zoella is popular in the YouTube community, keep up with the great videos, blogs, vlogs and books Zoe.xxx

Gemma Hotchkiss

Really enjoyed this post! I am hoping to start a blog myself, and wondered if you had done a previous blog post or vlog about tips and tricks for getting started?

Ramonz Zari

Hi Zoe !
I’ve been dealing with anxiety since I was about 11 or 12, but luckily I tackled the problem right away. My mum is a psychologist, so she kinda always told me that if I had any problem, I should talk about it. So I “saw” a therapist from age 12 to 17 (+a few extra months). It helped me grow and I decided to stop seeing my therapist at the very beginning of my last year in High School. I think that’s the moment when I started to gain self-confidence. When I started university, I had no friends nor boyfriend and I was heartbroken for a lot of reasons, but if anything I had me. I was there for me, and I took care of myself. After the summer holidays, I went to another university and my anxiety got SO high. I hadn’t felt like this in months, because I now had to get down to work, to make friends and stuff… it felt like I had something to prove. The first semester was really tough, and I had lots of panic attacks during the exams. But I still had myself, and I had made a lot of friends. Today, I can say I am happy and I have enough self-confidence to overcome my anxiety. I just try not to think about it, I do what I have to do and I choose what I want to do, or who I wanna hang with. I always put myself first, but I also know that life isn’t only about yourself: it’s also about what you could/Can do to help others, be it your friends, your family, complete strangers…it’s important to love yourself, but it’s important to be kind and helpful with those around you.
Whenever I feel anxious, I try to stick with my friends, and the anxiety just flies away…
I’m proud of myself, but I’m only 20 and I now I’m not there yet, but I’m getting there ! Yay to us !
Love from Belgium

Bethany Moakes

Hi Zoe ! That was so inspirational ,although I may not have first-hand experience with anxiety , I do have a few close and personal friends who suffer with anxiety and after I showed this to them they decided that they wasn’t going to let anxiety control their life so..um thanks x

Love , Bethany

Lily

Hi
I have watched all of your videos, read most of your blog posts, all your books and have soooo many of your products. I am now trying to create a blog but I can’t find a site/platform which will let me do what I would want it to. I was wondering if you had any suggestions? 💕 Xxx

Zaira Brilhante

Hi Zoe, I am a big fan and you’ve no idea how much coming across your videos during my darkest times helped me. I am also a writer and a big Harry Potter fan (I thought I should say). I’ve suffered from anxiety, depression and a feel other compulsive disorders but I am finally on the mend. I saw you’re a Mind ambassador so I am reaching out to you for help. I’ve decided to run the Brighton Marathon this coming April to fundraise for them. I was never sporty and took on running less than an year ago, so this is a surreal challenge I am putting myself through. I went to a Mind event yesterday and it was so inspiring I finally gathered the courage to write and share my story. I was wondering if you could perhaps share it with people you know can help me reaching my target and with those who might be able to relate to it and perhaps my words my brighten their day slightly or shed some hope to what they might be going through. You can read it here: http://bit.do/runzairarun Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Again, big thank you! Lots of love, Zai

Camilla

Thanks for sharing this Zoe. It’s definitely more common than everyone thinks and you are so right to urge people not just to live with it but to make changes that tackle to root of the problem.http://www.theforeveredit.com

Katelyn

Zoella your amazing blog has inspired me to create my own and to anyone reading this I’m a total newbie so please no hate. Here’s the link: https://gbtcblog.wordpress.com

Chloe Carroll

I just come to terms with the fact I have servere anxiety 😔I feel like I’m not there invisible and can’t handle situations But this is so inspirational and I hope I can reach this stage your at over time

Liza Spiridonova

Hiiiiiiiii, Zoe!♥️♥️♥️ I write you from Russia 🇷🇺. I am shocked by everything, what are you doing. OMG, it is super cool! I re-read your two books (unfortunately, there are no thirds of the book in Russia yet👎🏼) already time in million. I endure every time with Penny, I rejoice… Such tall tale of love. I always pay when I re-read the moment in the second book when Penny and Noah say goodbye in the bus. But now not about me. YOU – tremendous!! 💥💥💥💥Just know that I love you so much❤! You would like to visit Russia? 🇷🇺All stereotypes very silly.🤚🏻We are people very kind, the truth! 🤞🏼I wait for emergence of your book in Russia as the eighth wonder of the world. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼Happiness huge to you with Alfie, you are incredibly lovely! 😻😻Continue to develop, at you it well turns out! With love, Lisa.
P.S. Sorry, if I write with mistakes😘

Liza Spiridonova

Of course, has forgotten to write that I read each your blog. Thank you for him 😻😘🎁

Hiiiiiiiii, Zoe!♥️♥️♥️ I write you from Russia 🇷🇺. I am shocked by everything, what are you doing. OMG, it is super cool! I re-read your two books (unfortunately, there are no thirds of the book in Russia yet👎🏼) already time in million. I endure every time with Penny, I rejoice… Such tall tale of love. I always pay when I re-read the moment in the second book when Penny and Noah say goodbye in the bus. But now not about me. YOU – tremendous!! 💥💥💥💥Just know that I love you so much❤! You would like to visit Russia? 🇷🇺All stereotypes very silly.🤚🏻We are people very kind, the truth! 🤞🏼I wait for emergence of your book in Russia as the eighth wonder of the world. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼Happiness huge to you with Alfie, you are incredibly lovely! 😻😻Continue to develop, at you it well turns out! With love, Lisa.
P.S. Sorry, if I write with mistakes😘
Of course, has forgotten to write that I read each your blog. Thank you for him 😻😘🎁

Hi Zoe! Just a note to say firstly well done for speaking about anxiety issues in such a thoughtful and honest way. I watched your most recent Vlog and having experienced panic attacks myself over a period of a few years, it’s completely understandable you felt frustrated after being a bit more anxious than usual when visiting London. I’ve often got anxious about being anxious, which is a very irritating hamster wheel to get stuck on!

It sounds as if there were lots of stressful things going on that day (with the meetings and the traffic) and anyone in your shoes would have found themselves wound up one way or another! It’s so true when you point out also that learning to live alongside anxiety is a long-term process. For me, one of the most important lessons on that journey has been to gain a sense of living to my own standards – choosing what is right for you to focus on so that as much energy as possible goes into achieving your own goals. Otherwise, I find myself wasting a lot of time and emotion trying to meet other people’s standards, which can change at any time, or responding to real or imagined criticism. It’s far from easy, and I still have ups and downs with it, but everyone deserves respect and that includes ourselves! I hope you’re feeling steady and positive about things just now, and thanks again for bringing such an open attitude to the issue.

Give Nala a kiss from me! xoxo

Taranjeet Singh

I hope you are doing ok now…

Mal

Dear Zoe, (and Alfie) I have been struggling with anxiety for the past 3 years. I had my first panic attack at my basketball game. I came in and found out I would have to be point guard and I had already had a freak out before the game. ( I cry before every game because I get nervous and all of family was there for this one!) I wouldn’t let anyone touch me and my coach’s daughter is a good friend of mine so my coach sat there and worked through it with me. My other coach was like ” you will be fine go on out there and play” ( right after I got over it. He has a lot of drama filled girls in his life so he thought I was over reacting) It was easily one of the worst days of my life. All I wanted was for somebody to understand. My family says you can control it you will be fine but they don’t realize I don’t know how to control it. That is why I am so glad I found you. Your books helped me to I feel like penny is an older me I feel like I can relate to her so much.

Sincerely,
Mallory

Mal

Dear Zoe,
I know I just commented but would you mind doing a blog on how you set up your blog?

I love that you’re still sharing your experience, Zoe. I had my very first panic attack 4 years ago, and am still struggling to this day. It’s exhausting, and it’s easy to feel alone. I’ve also been making small lifestyle changes that add up—yoga, meditation, slow morning, reading more, practicing self care. Since implementing practices like these daily, my anxiety has improved recently, and I am better at knowing when an attack is coming on. Haven’t ran the therapist route yet, taking one day at a time.

Hi Zoe. Thank you for sharing your journey with anxiety. I’m seeing a therapist about my anxiety too and I really do think everyone should get into the habit of having some kind of therapy. You’ve given me the confidence to happily tell friends and colleagues that I have a therapist and it isn’t so scary.
Hope you had an amazing festive season and that the start of 2017 has you ready for an awesome year xxx

Hey Zoe, I deal with Anxiety as a 12 year old. Tomorrow I go and see a psychiatrist to help me out. When you said that going to the local supermarket, was hard to go to. I feel the exact same thing, I even find it terrifying just to get on my school bus and go to school. I have had four panic attack kind of things at school already and its awful. I just wanted to go home and curl up in a ball and never ever leave my room, but I know that the next day I’ll have to suck it up and go (even though thats not what what happens). I feel like I’m constantly trapped inside a box and there’s only one way to get out, somedays theres a way out but most of the time there isn’t. I hate it a lot, but even the thought of having to go somewhere to get help, it terrifies me at the thought that I’m not normal. What you wrote helped me to realise that even though its going to be really hard i actually have a chance at getting things more controlled. I’m sick and tired of crying myself to sleep most nights and wishing I could be normal! As I’m writing this I have a lot going through my mind and it’s really overwhelming, I hate this feeling not being able to control my thoughts it;s tiring.
Thank you so much!
Love you lots, Hannah Brown

Josie

I have existential anxiety and I find f it so hard to control, I hoped that you could help me and reading this has thank you so much 💖💕💗💟😘

Georgia Hannah Oxley

I had a bad incident today with my anxiety and I let it take over, this has really brightened my mood Zoe! Thank you xx

Hannah Brown

Hey Zoe, I deal with Anxiety as a 12 year old. Tomorrow I go and see a psychiatrist to help me out. When you said that going to the local supermarket, was hard to go to. I feel the exact same thing, I even find it terrifying just to get on my school bus and go to school. I have had four panic attack kind of things at school already and its awful. I just wanted to go home and curl up in a ball and never ever leave my room, but I know that the next day I’ll have to suck it up and go (even though thats not what what happens). I feel like I’m constantly trapped inside a box and there’s only one way to get out, somedays theres a way out but most of the time there isn’t. I hate it a lot, but even the thought of having to go somewhere to get help, it terrifies me at the thought that I’m not normal. What you wrote helped me to realise that even though its going to be really hard i actually have a chance at getting things more controlled.
Thank you so much!
Love you lots, Hannah Brown 💙

Hannah Brown

Hey Zoe, I deal with Anxiety as a 12 year old. Tomorrow I go and see a psychiatrist to help me out. When you said that going to the local supermarket, was hard to go to. I feel the exact same thing, I even find it terrifying just to get on my school bus and go to school. I have had four panic attack kind of things at school already and its awful. I just wanted to go home and curl up in a ball and never ever leave my room, but I know that the next day I’ll have to suck it up and go (even though thats not what what happens). I feel like I’m constantly trapped inside a box and there’s only one way to get out, somedays theres a way out but most of the time there isn’t. I hate it a lot, but even the thought of having to go somewhere to get help, it terrifies me at the thought that I’m not normal. What you wrote helped me to realise that even though its going to be really hard i actually have a chance at getting things more controlled.
Thank you so much!
Love you lots, Hannah Brown 💙

Lexi

Hey zoe your video’s are amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ana Catarina Cardoso Gonçalves

I’ve been struggle with anxiety for the past 4 years. Since my first panic attack i’ve been learning, with terapists and articles and books about the way anxiety can affect you and how to diminish the effect it has on you.
Unfortunately my lifestyle sometimes brings back those feelings of panic attacks. I feel that i can deal better now with those feelings and one of the reasons why is the way Zoella explained anxiety and panic attacks.
Thanks for sharing such a difficult experience and making everyone with this problem feel like we have a solution.

Ellie Marie 💎

Hello everyone. I know Zoe probably won’t read this but I’m hoping that someone on here can. For a while now I have wanted to start a blog but if I’m being honest I have no clue on what to do and how to set it up. If anyone can help me I would really appreciate it because I would love to have my own little corner of the internet to write what I want when I want. So if anyone could please help me that would be great. Thankyou ! Twitter – EllieMarie1000

Hi
Everyone could u be so kind as to come see my blog zorilla
Really inspired me to become a blogger hope u enjoy blog is https://bexieboo135.wixsite.com/mysite go check out subscribe and like my posts

Grace Elizabeth Pope

Hi Zoe. Reading that has made me realise I’m not the only one in the world with anxiety. I haven’t been suffering long. It has all really picked up now I’m 14 as I have to choose my subjects for my GCSE’s. All the pressure has got to much. The other day I was walking around the village and fear just came over me. I became short of breath and started crying. I tried to stop myself but it wasn’t working and I was crying and panicking all the way home. By reason. This it has helped me realise what I need to focus on. Thanks Zoe xxxx

I suffer with social anxiety quite badly and just avoid every situation that makes me anxious, and for me even paying for something in a shop terrifies me. I’ve tryed to get rid of my anxiety but nothing has worked and I can’t afford a therapist, I always trying new ways to help me but nothing works, hopefully I can overcome it soon.

Rachel

Hi Zoe, I know everything I’m about to say will probably be lost in the crowd, and simply be a repetition of a lot of things a lot of other people have said. But I think it bares being said anyways. I’ve been watching your channel for a long time, and for the entire duration of my viewing you have always inspired me. Among many other things, you helped me embrace beauty which is a big part of who I am. Anxiety is something that has been weighing on my mind an increasing amount lately, and a lot of the things you said in this post were things I have thought nearly verbatim. I’m nearly twenty, and I feel exhausted. I have allowed anxiety to control so many aspects of my life. But, I have always been much too terrified to do anything about it–but seeing how you feel so empowered makes me hunger for that same freeness. I know it’s a long, arduous process. But I think this was that push I needed. So thank you. Please never stop doing all wonderful the things you do.

Meaingirl

Hi Zoe!
I have a lot of friends that suffer from social anxiety and have shared this post with them, and even though I don’t suffer social anxiety, I really enjoyed reading it, and it helped me to understand the issue a bit more. Thanks so much for posting.
Meain Girl xxxhttp://www.meaingirl.blogspot.com

lene chi

Hi Zoe! This post really helped me to understand more how i feel and how to overcome my problems. Thank you!

Hey Zoe and anyone who reads this I am new to this blog but my friends think Zoella is a waste of time doing this with her life! But I think what Zoe is doing is great and I really take u as an inspiration! I hope you continue and I will continue to read! Any blogs anyone wants me to read I will! Xxx

LOVE LIFE!

I also ❤️ ur books!! Xxx

Enchanted Club // AASTHA

It comforts me to hear about your journey and helps me deal with mine a lot!

Im not completely ready to take that step and i don’t know what to do when i look in the mirror i see an ugly creature and I don’t want to lyl kate

Sofía Garrido

Many years later (2017) I read this, but why? Well recently (I’m almost 18), I had my first panic attack, my psychologist is on holidays for a month so I really don’t know what to do. This first panic attack happened in my car while I was on a trip going to the beach (which last 5 hours). My mum and my sister were there and my cat. My cat was crying a lot. I started to shake, like if I had cold, but it was not cold, it was like ‘that thing’ you get before an important exam. I was nervous but I didn’t know why. I started to feel like I wasn’t able to breath, so I started to breathe in more oxygen. The music and the voices were very loud and I just wanted to get out of there, but it was impossible, we were on the middle of the road. So I cried a lot, I couldn’t stop, and I didn’t know (and I don’t) why I was crying. I arrived to house (which was rented) and slept for hours. I was tired, I just wanted to go home. People started to tell me “C’mon, let’s go to the beach” but I didn’t want to, I wanted to go home, to my home.
I’m at my father’s house now, and I don’t want to go to my mum’s house, just thinking about the cat and the situation makes me feel anxious. I don’t know what to do. I’m waiting for my therapist to come back.
(I’m from South America so I do not speak english very well, I tried my best here)
Hope someone could give me some answers or advices.
xxxx
Sophie.

hey zoe ,
right now im confused why or what to do im not sure what anxiety is until i looked it up and i think i have it like im worried something is gonna crash like im stopping my family to go on holiday just cause im scared the plane is gonna crash im hoping you could help cause im nervous about everything and when i looked it up i panicked and came straight to my inspiration you ! hoping you could help me x if you can text me via social media such as instagram or snapchat thank you ! only 11 hoping you could help me xx From Sienna

Lily McLoughlin

To Zoe,
I’m really glad to see you better than ever. I admire you and your braveness and hope to follow in your footsteps. For me your like an adult figure. I know you don’t know I exist but the fact that you’ve managed to get over such a tall hurdle is so inspiring. I personally have little twitches like Im sensitive and get angry easily and even though we struggle with different things I use the amazing advice you give and its helped out loads so far. I’m so proud of you for all the amazing things you’ve achieved and I love you and every thing you do.
From lily, Xx

LucyLou2104

Zoe’s blog is amazing, it’s so important we can share our experiences, and know we’re not alone.

Zoe, you are an inspiration to girls all ages, and you are one of my favourite youtubers as well. keep posting ;)
love from one of your biggest fans,
Evi xx

Vee

Hi Zoe!
oh my god… i have no words to say how much i’ve needed to read it all right now. I’m a big fan of yours, and you were first beauty bloger I’ve truly admired and watched your videos on repeat, wishing to be like you. when i got to know about your anxiety I felt so happy, well that sound really wrong but let me explain! i felt happy because it made you more of human, more like… me. i feel like Zoella on youtube, on instagram, on twitter was quite different from real Zoe, but after you opened up about so many things I’ve truly loved you even more, not to say how big inspiration and role model you became for me. I wanted to thank you so much for always being such a sweetheart and kind person, and I know we’ve never met but deep inside I feel like you were my sister. You constantly make me believe that I can change my life, that I can design it the way I really want it to look. and I know you don’t even know me but I’m so damn proud of you, because I can’t even imagine being half as brave as you are. Maybe for you it’s just a little thing, to add a new blog post, or to upload a new video, but for me it’s another reason to start living a better life, such a great motivation! I’m in my senior year class right now and my biggest fear starts with choosing where to study, what to study, whether to go to university or not. I don’t want to let my parents down, cause although they are the most amazing people in this world, I can’t talk with them openly about what I’m scared of. It came to a point when I started worrying about all of this so much I fainted last week and went to hospital for few days. I don’t wanna live like that Zoe, I wanna spend my nights watching movies and reading books, not crying myself to sleep in fear of starting a new day. Also I’m a really introverted person and I feel like therapist may not be such a good idea, I have problem to talk about my feelings with the closest people, not to mention new person. I never want them to think I’m not grateful, or I just make problems out of nothing. I’m sorry to write it all down here, I feel like this comment will be at least as longs as your post! I just feel like reading it all it’s a bit of katharsis since I’ve nobody to talk with. Even though nobody will respond to it the fact I can share my thoughts is pretty comforting 🙈 I will never regret joining this Zoella community, thanks to you I still have hope to make my dreams come true one day even though now it may seem impossible. I wanna wish not only ypu, but every girl dealing with those horrible fears late happy 2017 and I wanna wish you all a strength to beat the odds with smile and style, I believe we all can do this – in smaller or bigger amount of time. I love you all very much!

Clare

Such a great post. Anxiety is something i think everyone that’s brave enough to admit suffers from at some point in life. It is lovely to see that you have overcome yours:)

Those 2 Girls

Hi i just really would like to no if u could shout out my best friend jayde friend plz she would be so happy plzzz

Renee Rie

my therapist said that i have anxiety but i dont think i have anxiety the big problem (the stuff i have to deal)is not being able to talk to people.i can perfectly talk to myself when i’m alone but when i’m with other people including my mom and i have been with her like forever i struggle to speak it’s not even exactly stuttering.I just dont know and i’m so confused.I feel nervous when i’m in public in home or with friends its really hard.i cant speak up.

Katie M

I think I might have the beginning of anxiety I just don’t get panic attacks. My best friend has anxiety and I have more or less the same symptoms apart from panic attacks. I’m quite emotional and sensitive because of past bullying which has only just sorted out. I want to get counselling or talk to someone professional because I’ve definitely got something whether that’s an emotional problem or beginnings of anxiety. I feel like my parents won’t understand and like I can’t talk to my family because they’ll tell my parents and they’ll just ask and question everything ect,my school doesn’t have any nurse ect. I don’t know what to do? I fear it’s getting worse and my only escape is YouTube,reading and singing (luckily I already do singing lessons) Has anyone any advice???

Maria

Thank you Zoe for posting this article.I’m sure it helps many people with anxiety to ask for help :)

I love the idea of talking about REAL issues on your blog. I feel like anxiety is something which affects everyone, it just depends on how ‘bad’ it can get depends on how much you suffer. Beautifully written blog post!

Hey Zoe, ever since you uploaded this I have just thought no I don’t need to read that it fine … recently something really bad has happened to me I’m fine now physically just not mentally I’ve just blocked it out and thought I was feeling tired or ill but I’ve recognised that I’m anxious about it all . So my first thought was to go straight to you (in a way ) this has helped me so much , thank you for uploading this it really has made me think . Love you wish you all the best xxx

Kaydee

I love you so much Zoe if you even read this comment I would be so grateful! You have come such a long way !
Love u ! ❤️

I have anxiety too…but I don’t let it control my actions….I am improving….there were days when people used to say me why can’t you be happy… why cant you stop overeacting…why do you take things on an another level…. back then I felt like something’s wrong with my brain… why am I the only one like this…I remember when I first saw your vedio about anxiety which made me feel like…Zoe feels the same…I am not the only one…its normal…I can handle it…I related myself to every word you said… every single word…that video was my first step to realise that I can beat anxiety and be myself…
Seriously, your videos and blogs are a great help….and I love you😘

I think it’s so brave of you to have written about your anxiety – especially since so many people can be so judgemental. The whole time I was reading this I just kept thinking, ‘you’re so brave!’ You really, really are. People who don’t necessarily suffer from anxiety will most likely have no idea what I’m on about, but to those who suffer, this statement couldn’t be any more true. The fact that you voluntarily put yourself into those positions and experienced those emotions just to not let people down, or to nor let it get in the way, is incredibly brave and I admire you for it more than I can say. It’s really difficult to overcome anxiety and I’m so happy that you decided to make that change and move forward! It’s limiting a huge, huge part of my life – to the point where I no longer attend university or leave the house much. Reading this just makes me want to get myself into gear, because change is possible. Thank you so much for writing about this and for sharing your experience. You might not think so, but you are a very strong person, Zoe. All the best!

You just wrote what I tell all my friends who suffer from mental illness. It’s soo important to look after yourself and to find someone you can work with. I’ve been watching your videos for about 5 years now and you have become such a strong, independent and loving woman, who I can only look up to.
Thank you so much, Zoe!

Hi Zoe! When I first read Girl Online, I was inspired to make a blog which I did but only after reading the second book. I couldn’t keep it up so I stopped writing it. Until I read your third book which gave me the urge to start the blog again but I had forgotten my username and password. So I started another blog elsewhere. http://lunarbright101.strikingly.com That is the link and I would really appreciate it if you could check it out. You have really inspired me in many different ways and I love you for that. Thank you for everything.

Jess Galletly

Thank you Zoe, you are honestly the best role model any girl could ask for.

Poppy Makeup

I am thrilled that you are handling your anxiety so well. My 26 year old son is trapped at home with anxiety and fear that he will have a panic attack in public. We have been going to therapy for the past years trying to deal with it. It became obvious to me when he was 4 years old, that his anxiety was preventing him from doing the things he loved. We tried everything. Presently he is on medication to help him leave the house. I am going to show him your posting and hope that he takes away hope that he can manage life. Thank you for your inspiration.

RandomOnline

Hello Zoe :) I am amazed at you for over coming your anxiety for so long! I love you series Girl Online! Pen-Noah for life!!!!

황리아

Hello zoella. I’m leah hwang. I’m korean. I have had anxiety illness. So I think i am small person. And sometimes It is terrible to me. I researched video about anxiety. Then i find your good video about anxiety. So i got strength. Thanks. And i think many people around the world have gotten this illness. I’m not alone. Again thanks.

Would be so good if Zoe wrote a book on anxiety too, I think it would help many of us. Anxiety sucks but blogging helps me a lot❤️ Hope you can check out my blog.

Emily Boddeus

You are such an inspiration Zoe❤️

OrdinaryJazz x

You are such an inspiration to us all! You have helped me overcome many troubles in my life and I have become much less self conscious since I started reading your blog. I love you so much Zoe thank you for all the help you have given me!
Love, Fruit Smoothie xx
(I hope you don’t mind, I don’t want to show my identity!)

Abi

hi, zoella! i am very new to your videos, i started with one of your old videos about taking the time to wind down- some of the things you were saying were very useful so thank you! i have been struggling with anxiety for a while now and i get scared of being sick, it sometimes feels like it is taking over- i am pretty sensitive anyway and have struggled with sleeping nearly all my life, but i try not to let it stop me. i love your style by the way, i love all your fairy light especially! Thank you for all your advice and i will be trying out some of the things u said… do you have any more advice for helping to sleep and not worry? thank you for all you help and encouragement,
your new subscriber and fan,
Abi

Queen_Minty

Thanks so much Zoe for writing this! You have helped me so much and you have the most amazing fans in the world. I want to thank you on everyone’s behalf for being such an inspiration x I’ve attempted to write my own blog about my anxiety and hope anyone reading this comment will chec it out and give me some advice http://pepperminttalks.blogspot.co.uk/2017_02_01_archive.html
LINK ^ Thanks

Holly Nicola

Zoe
Thank you so much or posting this
I know I am a bit late but I was reading through your old blog posts
I suffer with anxiety and panic attacks to
I am trying hard to not let it take over my life but sometimes it does
This post has really helped me

Thank you Zoe
Ily❤️❤️

Georgialeggejb

I love this so much because I have anxiety and sometimes you feel all alone and then your videos and blog helps me LOVE YOU ZOE your my inspiration ❤❤

Evie

Thank you so much for posting something like this! Anxiety runs in my family and I’m starting to see signs of it in me as well. I’ve been doing all sorts to help with it and even I am proud for some recent accomplishments that I’ve made! You are very inspiring! P.s. I’m also reading your third novel, Girl Online Going Solo, and I’m only on chapter seven, but I already fell in love with it! Please continue to write more books! I support you all the way! love ya!xxxx

iris gerits

Whow Zoe this was such a lovely and inspriring blog post,
I’m struggling with physical pain every day and I’ve been looking for answers for years, no doctor can find where my Belly pain is coming from. I have attacks where I have so much stomach pain I sometimes faint whilst on the toilet. I’m at home a lot now and every time I try to work or do something new the pain gets worse. In some way I HOPE it might be Anxiety so i could work on it and maybe have a normal life again of a 24 year old.
I’m starting a very intense program with a team of psychologists next week, and I really hope with time and hard work I won’t hava these tormenting pains anymore, it’s no way to live.
Thank you for sharing this with me it has given me more strength to start my program and hopefully I’m on my way to recovery. I have a blog about this aswel so if you Zoe or any of you would like to visit; http://www.bellygirlblog.com

Thank you Zoe for sharing so much of your life, you are helping a lot of us with fighting off life’s demons!

Hey, Zoe! I know you are really busy and everything but can you give tips on how to create your own blog and I really would love if you could help me because I would love if you helped me and I love your blog, Instagram, Snapchat, Vlog YouTube Channel, Normal YouTube Channel, you name it I have followed it. Love you so Stay Strong Zoe
Gracie x

Lily-Rose Taylor

I find it really inspiring that you write stuff like this on your blog. I know it might sound a bit cheesy, but every time I feel anxious I read your blog and it calms me down. I read your book girl online and in the first one I can actually relate to most of it! Lily x

Victoria

Hey zoe (zoella)
I just wanted to say that I love you so much and I am one of your biggest fans.
I admire you because your so confident and you don’t let your anxiety take you down.
I love and admire all your work and you are one of my BIGEST insperations you always make me laugh and smile in all your videos.
love you and never stop vlogging!!!
remember I will always admire you

cutie.corcors

It’s good of you to come out about this. I think you’re really brave. I also read you’re book Girl Online and it really inspired me. Thankyou

The listeners of the anxiety guy podcast would love to hear what Zoella has to say about natural ways to heal anxiety. Thank you for your inspirational videos Zoella. Many times one successful anxiety story can trigger a huge momentum in sensitized people. Your voice could touch so so many others, let’s get in touch – http://www.anxietyexit.com

Tayla Williams

I love this blog! I especially love how you can just talk about such personal stuff in front of such big crowds!!

GeorgiaIsTheBestLlama

Hey Zoe, this is something you won’t read but i thought I’d write anyway! So you’ve helped me so much with my Depression and anxiety, your so cheerful and it’s made me a lot more cheerful when’s I watch you and read your blog! It’s so amazing how you’ve helped a lot of people in this world and for that I’m so proud of how far you have gone, and what you’ve grown to be!! Thank you so much. Ilyl

Abby Phillips

I’ve never commented on a blog post before and don’t even know why I decided to come to your blog on this day. But this has touched me really deep and made me realize I have been suppressing the thought that I could possibly have anxiety. I always thought saying you go to a therapist or that you think you have a mental illness is just being weak and a way to try and explain behaviors that others don’t agree with or like you for. I have realized in this blog that I need see a therapist for all the thoughts I have kept inside me for so long because I thought no one would listen. I am not a very good writer so i am not sure if this is coming out the way i want it to but I just want you to know Zoe, that you sharing this post has inspired me to change my life today. Thank you and I hope you continue to inspire others as you have me.

ellie smalldridge

hi zoe i get really anxious about going to the dentist dont know why but the minute i get there i start getting butterflies in my stomach and when i had to have treatment for my teeth they asked me reall nicely to sit in the chair realx while they treid to use the gas and air on me but i just couldnt do it dont know why but i just burst out in to tears and just couldnt do it i have chickened out of treatment now 3 times not good i know i get that i have to do it because it can course further problems in the future but do you have any advice about how i can not get myself so worked up about something like this thank you xxx and love your blog i think its really brave of you to open up about your anxiety xx stay positive xxx

Eva Jones

Hi Zoe! Thank you so much for writing this blog, personally I don’t suffer from anxiety but I know people who have and still do. I suffer from anger issues and if something triggers me I lash out and cannot control my anger and I feel like the whole world is against me. This involves me hurting people who I love and then seeing what I have done hurts me inside and I end up just going to my room and crying. I know it is different to anxiety but is there anything you know of that could help me and others as it is getting out of control and I don’t know what to do.
Thanks again, Eva xox

Emily Rose

Thanks for this Zoe x

Ballet Dancer

I suffer with anxiety when I stress out and have a major breakdown over a assignment or 5 point quiz or any small thing I beat myself up I worry so much about myself and what others think of me this so inspired me to not let this control me thanks zoey so much love u

Emma Willis

i have had panic attacks before and they are starting to happen again now bit when I’m down it always helps when I talk to some body about it. it feel like a massive weight of your shoulders and it really helps. I hope someone who is struggling reads this and knows there not alone. :)

Gillian Foster

Zoe you must spend a lot of your time on blogs, it is so long! 😀

Charlotte Pedley

Hey Zoe it feels like your talking to me personally and it feels like your the only one who understands what exactly is going on with my anxiety. Only one of my friends kind of have the same thing as me but we rarely talk about it. I’m sometimes upset, because one of my friends (my very very closest best friend) doesn’t understand what I have at all. She always says stuff like get over it, u always exagerate ,stop pretending like you can’t breath, why can’t you stop shaking. And it really bothers me that I cant talk to her about it and she doesn’t think I have anxiety cause she doesn’t listen when i talk about it and she always says you only know you’ve got anxiety if you’ve been prescribed it by the doctor or something. It really pisses me off. Thank you Zoe for reading this you are such a role model and I don’t know how I would have dealt with my anxiety so well if it wasn’t for you. Xxx love ya ❤💋😘

Alejandra Vilchez (Alex)

Helped me a lot. I could never imagine that a famous, apparently girl as you suffered what normal people (me) do. Knowing this I kinda feel more confident about my future, my future dealing with anxiety. Thanks for sharing this. I’m sure I won’t be the only only who benefits from this post.

Laura Woodbridge

I honesty can’t explain to you how happy this has made me feel the amount of time I read this through on a day when I’m feeling down and my anxiety kicks in is unbelievable i know I’ve never met you but you don’t have to meet someone in person for you to feel that your best friends but honestly you are my best friend and you have helped me through so so many hard and tough times 😘❤️

Sophie Sharratt

Hi I am 12 years old and have anxiety. If effects what I do and where I go. I don’t know how to tell my parents but knowing that people out there with the same issue as me helps a lot. I know that my friends are there but if any of you know any advise to help me to tell my parent please say.

Emm.

Dear Zoe,
I want to thank you for being you and for doing what you do.
I have grown so much more confident in myself since I started watching your videos and I have you to thank. I am beginning to feel better about my body and the way I look, the clothes I wear and the way I carry myself. I take pride in the things I love and enjoy and am no longer afraid to laugh or smile when I feel like it (which has been more and more frequently).
And it is because of you, and the example you set, that I feel this way. When I watch your videos, I see what it is like to be truly and unashamedly happy and confident in the person you are. I see someone who appreciates and accepts all aspects of life – the good and the bad – someone who knows what she wants and values, someone who is utterly unafraid to be herself.
I want to be like that.
For the first time in a very long time, I not only feel like that is actually possible, but also that I am on my way there.
I’ve been struggling with anxiety (among a whole host of other things) for as long as I can remember, but you have shown me what it is like to still be fearless, even when the fear is right there beside you. You have shown me that it is okay to be vulnerable, too, and to listen to yourself – and take care of yourself – when you have reached your limits.
I had wanted to start a blog for years, and when I finally convinced myself to do it a few months ago, I was terrified and unsure. That was around about the time you posted your anxiety update on your blog – and it made a huge difference. I cannot put into words how much reading this post helped me. It’s taken me too long to say it, but I’m doing it now: THANK YOU.
I’m still terrified, I know my anxiety is not going to go away overnight – it’s probably never going to go away – but I’m okay with that now. Because now I feel like I can still live my life and do the things I want to do in spite of, maybe even because of, my anxiety.
So thank you for helping me to see that my dreams are not unattainable. Thank you for providing me with a role model who I can truly look up to and identify with. Thank you for helping me get to know myself better. And thank you for sharing these parts of your life with us. I don’t feel so alone anymore.
I love what you do, and I am so grateful that you do it – and as long as you love doing what you do, I will, too.
Thank you Zoe,
Love,
Emm.
tomakingitcountawa.blogspot.com

melany P

Hi Zoe!! Honestly reading your post really did get me thinking and I will always think back to reading this if I ever get scared or panicky in school !! U really are an amazing person!! ❤❤ hopefully one day I’ll be able to meet you!! 😘 xoxo your ma inspiration!! MP

Helica Silva-Bamber

I really love how upfront you are about these issues. It’s good to see you’re using your impressive platform to do such great work :)

Hi, Zoe. I’m new to your blog but I already love it! Its so inspirational and it motivates me so much. You are an amazing writer! I have read your first book and its my favourite. I could read hundreds of times. I am reading your second book (I’m half way through) and I am getting ‘Going Solo’ for Easter. I don’t have anxiety but I do get worried and scared sometimes and your blog really helps. I look at myself and cry sometimes. Its hard. At the saddest points in my life I suddenly think about all of the things people say about me. Like I’m fat and ugly and I have no friends. You are really helpful not just to me, but to millions of other people. Sorry this is a old post, it just feels right.
– Jess

Izzy L-N

You are such an inspiration. X

Jordyn Trollip

You are so strong and such an inspiration to our generation, where anxiety and depression levels are extremely high among adolescents. Thank you for sharing your story so that may feel stronger and more encouraged to fight their fears. <3

i have anxety but I’m unsure about telling my friends since they might judge me or think that im a atention seeker since many people can be like that. i was wondering if you have any suggestions to help me thank you xxxx

rosa

Hi Isabelle I thought the exact thing as you but I risked it and told my best friend Mya and she totally understood and actually had been going through anxiety herself but in a different way and we help each other! You should tell you friends and if they think your attention seeking they aren’t the friends you want, they should respect what your going through and support you through it! xxxx

isabelle

Hi Rosa, thank you for your reply it’s helped me and now and i am more confident with telling my friends. Hopefully they will be able to understand. Thank you xxx

Isla hepburn

I almost cried reading this, I’m so proud that you have come so far, I can only hope that I too can make that step and come as far as you have.

Kathleen Nykiel

Hey Zoe,
I want to thank you for being so open with your anxiety. It’s helped me talk to my friends and family about having it as well! You have even inspired me to start my own blog :)

I love this! I have pretty extreme social anxiety and it definetly takes a lot of time to find ways to deal with it. I will be turning 30 next month (yikes!) and still don’t have it all figured out. I feel as long as I am working on it then I can only be moving forward.

J⚡

Hi, Zoe! You’ll probably never see this but I just wanted to say thanks. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many other people! You’re beautiful inside and out and we wouldn’t like you any other way. You are truly perfect. I hope that you can cope with your anxiety, I personally don’t have anxiety so I can’t put myself in your shoes but I hope you’re always okay. You inspired me to start my own blog: jthegurl.blogspot.com If anyone would like to check it out. So thank you so much Zoe, you may not realise but your helping and inspiring so many people so please, just keep doing what you’re doing.

Briony Holmes

Hi zoe
I feel like this is such a strong subject to talk about and I know how it feels I have anxiety sine I was 10 and makes me feel alot better knowing that other people are going through the same thing as me.
I hope u read this,
Briony

hey zoe, I just read ur girl online series and I was so motivated that I started my own blog http://mythoughtlock.blogspot.in/ , I have just put my new post and im so inspired by penny, so I try to put out my feelings and opinions on my blog. ill be glad if people give out advices on how to make my blog successful.

Hello Zoe, I’ve wanted to talk to you for quite a year now as that’s when my anxiety really began to start. It started on a family trip with plenty of planes and lots of stressful situations that have ultimately lead to very serious panic attacks. But now I want to tell you something different about the way I’ve been combatting it because I feel you’ll understand and that you can also be happy with me about my achievement! I managed to basically stop the anxiety from controlling my life, instead of cowering from what I know could be anxiety inducing situations, I throw myself into them in the hopes that my fear will go away. And it worked, all my anxiety and my depression (I have both) had basically left me alone. Until recently. My Grandma died about a week ago and it’s her funeral today and I know for sure that I’m going to get claustrophobic and panic in front of my entire family and their friends. Plus my best friend (and kind of non official boyfriend) isn’t coming and he normally gets me out of these situations and calms me down. What do I do to combat this because I really need your help! By the way, I love your book and you inspired me to write one of my own because I love writing. It’s on Wattpad called The Girl With The Long Blonde Hair. You don’t have to look at it, I just felt like telling you and I don’t know why. Thank you. -Melissa xx

Hi Zoe, great blog you really inspire a lot of people and change their lives.

From a small blogger just starting up x

Super Girl

Hi Zoe,
I have been reading your blog for 7 months now, because before that, I got anxiety myself. I told my mum about it only 2 months ago, because of you. I found you while I was scrolling through my instagram, when I saw a photo of yours, I looked more into you, and realised I’m not the only person with anxiety. All I can say Zoe is, Thank you for inspiring me. I now don’t feel alone. I still remember curled up on my bed, worrying about, something not worth stressing out about. But now, that’s a thing of the past. Thanks Zoe, so much, you literally mean the world to me. Thank you!
Hugs and Kisses
Megan

Zoe, that is awesome that you have made such big strides in your recovery, well done, that must have been a massive challenge so it’s amazing that you have managed to push yourself to be in those situations that make you anxious. But I was wondering, how you did that? You didn’t write anything in your article about what techniques you used and what things have helped you in your recovery?
I myself have had a chronic anxiety disorder and agoraphobia for 11 years. I am fully housebound and I have constant anxiety symptoms to varying degrees all day every day. Even when the symptoms are lower they’re still always there and feel horrible, but they’re often severe, I’d say they’re quite severe for a big part of every day, I also feel panicky often and am scared every day. Having anxiety is awful (as you know) and effects every aspect of your life. It has greatly affected my relationship with my fiance as it is very hard on him as I rely on him a lot, it also affects my relationship with my son who is only young (less than 10) as obviously I don’t always feel able to be downstairs or play with him, I try hard to spend as much time with him every day as I feel able, but I do spend a bunch of time in my room when I’m feeling awful. It effects so many things, I haven’t even felt able to dance around the house in years because it always increases my anxiety symptoms :( It’s hard to believe you could ever get better when you have this kind of disorder, I want to believe I can, I need to believe there’s a possibility, but it’s hard to believe that because having constant anxiety symptoms all day every day makes you think ”how could I ever not feel like this?” If you do have any tips/advice/input on things that help to get better, or are willing to share anything that helped you, then I’d greatly appreciate that. I have read a few books, googled loads, tried different methods techniques, and I still feel awful and scared every day. So if you do have any tips I would appreciate it. If you want to contact me (or if anyone else with a chronic anxiety disorder/agoraphobia wants to talk) my twitter is @Serendipity861

ItsMaddieCL

Hey Zoe
In the last 5 weeks I have started to have panic attacks, and the only reason I knew what was happening to me was because of the video you made back in 2012. I started going to the school counsellor and I know ways that I can manage them. But for the first 3 weeks I was in a constant state of awareness to everything happening around me, if there was a loud noise my breathing and heart rate would pick up and I spent most of my time shaking in the disabled toilets. It wasn’t until I opened up to my closest best friend who basically said: “You should go to the counsellor, i know that you are scared to do this but this isn’t you. You are so much more than this and you will get through this, I will sit in there with you if it means that my amazing Best Friend starts getting better.”
I honestly have never loved her more than at that moment and now we are almost joined at the hip. But if I didn’t know what was kind of happening to me then the panic attacks would of been a lot worse, and I would of been scared to open up to anyone, because knowing me I would have thought that this was something that I should deal with by myself.
Thank you Zoe for being such a brave woman, I first watched that video because I had never heard of anything like it; but now I am so glad I did.
Maddie – 14 years old.

Don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read this post but I definitely relate to it a lot. I felt like my anxiety was ‘under control’ for the past couple of years, but lately it’s been creeping back in…mostly because of new opportunities, stuff happening in the world, feeling powerless, etc. For me, I have to give myself time to retreat and spend “alone” time to generally see things improve…but in a pinch, sometimes you can’t escape. In those moments I try to focus on my breath, breathing in for 4 seconds – holding for 4 -then releasing for 4. I also read somewhere that you can sing a song in your head and that does tend to help. Not sure what it is about us gals that makes us more anxious than it seems most guys are, but I breathing through and reminding yourself that you are safe…that it’s not the end of the world…and that you will be okay is key. Also, knowing others go through it as well is helpful. Great post! Thanks for sharing.

I loved this post! I have anxiety and find that venting through my blog really helps! Feel free to check it out- foodandfunstuff.wordpress.com
P.S. Even though you probably won’t see this,I just wanted to say hi Zoella!💕😋 you have been such an inspiration for me!
I am going into high school this year and am really nervous and I can already feel my stupid anxiety kicking in😕 Wish me good luck!☺️💕

Becky Wallace

I’m really struggling with my anxiety and I don’t know what the first step is to do.

Sophie Sharratt

Hi Becky Wallace I struggle with anxitey too I found that
1. Know that you are not alone
2. Tell someone as it really helps to know that someone is there if you need them.

Hey, Zoe! Thank you for posting this. I know it’s been hanging around on your blog a while but I just started a new school with people and places that trigger my anxiety. I know I’m still quite young but seeing what you been through makes me feel like your shadow, like a part of you is like me. We’ve never met but it feels like we’re already friends in some odd way. You inspired me to put my thoughts out there on to my own blog KittyJade. You are really strong for sharing this. I’m being honest in every word, not just saying it to grab attention and sound like I’m hanging on.

Sorry that this is more of an essay than a nice, short comment!

KittyJade, here to share a smile, Xx

kittyjadeblog

Thank you for sharing this Zoë. I know this post has been here a while but now I can relate to it more than anything. Thank you again, your very quiet reader,

Hi Zoe! I have started watching your youtube videos a few months ago and I am so happy that I did. You inspire me on daily basis and I am very thankfull for this post. I’m going through a really hard time right now and I needed something like this to show me that it can get better. So thank you very much and keep doing you <3

Hi Zoe,
I don’t know if you’ll read this or not, but I just really need to get this out and hopefully this way it helps. I’m sitting here crying whilst reading this blog post because I used to feel the same way as you did, except I thought I overcame it. I’m working towards my dream of becoming a teacher. But I’ve been having some problems with my heart and my breathing, many people have suggested anxiety. I’m so scared because if it is anxiety again, all that I worked up to is going to be gone and I don’t know how I’m going to cope. I’m going to the doctors soon about it but I’m so scared for what they might say. I thought I knew my anxiety, but if this is it again, I’ve never had it like this before so maybe I didn’t know it… I don’t know, this has probably all come out in jumbles but I just had to tell someone about it. Thank you if you read this.

This is such a wonderful post, Zoe, and why I consider you my inspiration. I have missed out on so many big events, and struggled with simple tasks such as work, or hanging out friends because of my anxiety. I am proud that I am also working with my own therapist, who is helping me to learn how to deal with it, and while it’s hard, I know I have already made an improvement.
I want to thank you, because you have had such an impact on helping me overcome this everyday battle, and while I would never wish it on you, It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in feeling this way. I am so proud of the achievement you have made with your own anxiety, you truly are an amazing person <3

Alice Devlin

❤️Thanks❤️

Hannah Magno

Hi Zoe. I am new to your YouTube channel and to this blog that you are doing. I have been loving your books, which is how I learned that you were real and that you had a YouTube channel and a blog… I will get on with the point…😊
After reading that, it remind me of how I started getting anxiety attacks. I am turning 13 soon and I have had these panic attacks sence I was in year three. I know that you don’t have time to listen to my boring story about me getting panic attacks and how it started, so I will finish up.
I love your YouTube videos and I love your personality, and good luck with the panic attacks in the future!
Love you💜💜💜

Emily Cortopassi

I’ve been watching you since 2011 when I was 14 years old. I’ve been drawn to you ever since then. It’s amazing to feel a connection with someone you’ve never met. To feel loved by you, valued by you, empowered by you and cheered up on a daily basis by you is a true gift that can only be credited to your pure heart and genuine life you’ve lived. Someone as beautiful, fit and stylish as you can seem so intimidating. But I’ve never once felt judged or hindered by your beauty and accomplishments. Instead your wisdom, intelligence and taste has encouraged and inspired me more than anything ever has. I’ve always enjoyed your content for the sheer factor of their visually pleasing aesthetics, but also for their true intentions and how relatable they/you are. When it comes to loving beauty but not being a professional, your goofy relationship with Mark, your loving mess arounds with Alfie, your baking that’s always nearly perfect but never unachievable, your style that is ever changing, your raw and honest talks about life, anxiety, friendship and sex (or the discomfort you feel speaking of it in fact), is all exactly what girls and women from 5-40 should hear. You are a friend to all, an advocate for all, and a true testament of the saying that with good and hard work comes great reward. I’ve noticed your improvements with your anxiety through out the years and I can honestly say that I am not only so proud of you but so thankful for you. I want to be like you when I grow up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Zoe Sugg, for being the best friend I’ve never met. XOXOXO

Polly Bibby

After reading so much about your anxiety and the way it makes you feel. I feel some what, relief.
I’ve been reading your blog and watching your videos since 2011. From the beginning, I’ve been apart of your journey.
A small part of me has grown just like yourself, the only thing holding me back will always be my confidence.
I feel as though, you are that friend that everybody needs in their life.
You may not know me as a person and I do not know how you tackle all of your problems. But deep down, we are all the same.
I honestly love you so much and I’m proud of how far you have come.
You are truly one of my inspirations Zoë!

Thank you 💗

Love from, your biggest supporter.

Polly Bibby
Xxx

Ashleigh

Hi Zoe! Reading this made me tear up! I’ve had anxiety for around 6 years myself, but only got diagnosed last summer after my anxiety became all consuming – it got to the point where I couldn’t leave the house without a panic attack. I was put on sertraline by my GP and was recommended CBT, which unfortunately didn’t work for me (perhaps something to do with just how severe it was at the time). I researched other therapies and found hypnotherapy, which I had 6 sessions of. It worked incredibly, relaxing my mind into a state where I was able to think clearly about the situations that caused me the most stress, and put me in a place where I could change the way I look at them. Almost a year later, and although I have a long way to go still with my anxiety (like you say, it’s not just something that is going to disappear overnight, especially after years of letting it rule my behaviours), I am able to leave the house mostly without incident, and more than that I actually graduated from university this year, with a first in my dissertation! – as a psychology student our dissertation task was to carry out research, which involved recruiting participants (something that terrified me last summer), and I was also asked to train second years in the EEG technique (I used this for my research, and as you can imagine having to train strangers was incredibly anxiety provoking).

I am hoping to come off my medication soon – attempting to replace it with a diet free of refined and processed foods and sugars (actually inspired by Niomi Smart) as research suggests that refined sugars and processed foods may exaggerate anxiety symptoms.

Reading this blog makes me incredibly happy for you – I am so glad that you are tackling this head on, and I wish you the best of luck with your long battle. You have come so so far and you should be over the moon with your acheivements! xx

Katie Dunne

Wow. That was amazing, I’ve wrote about my anxiety a lot this month and i feel great. Well done to you Zoe. I have a blog too. So clsoe to 1 Million Followers. I’d love if some people checked it out <3http://www.kkkaytee.wordpress.com

Ella Seymour

Hi Zoe! I have small stage fright because of the expectactions of my family and friends becuase the whole of my dads side of the family are increibley musical and i feel an obligation to do well as so to not disappoint. Do you have any advice for me and i would love it if you or anyone also would check out my new blog but it is very new. It’s Music and Lifestyle. Thank you! Your friend, Ella xxxhttps://v4.simplesite.com/#/pages/435985024?editmode=false

Alli Carkins

Hey zoey, I’ve watched your channel since you was in your bedroom my first video I have found when I was looking for something to make me smile, or make me laugh and you did just that you helped me with my depression, with my anexity. Reading this helped a lot and I’m so proud of you Zoey. Like I’ve said you are a big help of my anexity every time I put you on rather I’m having a bad day, or week, or having anexity I calm down right away. I know it seems weird but you just help. I just been wanting to thank you for helping because 6 years ago I lost my grandpa whom I was close with, and that’s when my anexity hit. I’m doing better each day now , and watching your old videos even makes me happy esp ones with you and joe, alfie the whole gang. Please keep doing what you do and please keep helping people in so many ways I love you Zoey xoxoxoxo-alli

Zoella, you are an inspiration to so many people world wide and have come so far and been so successful. Through your business (youtube, blog, beauty line, book, etc.) but also with your anxiety. You are clearly proud of yourself and that you should be. You are a beautiful woman and deserve respect and to be able to feel proud and accomplished. Just keep up the great work, and always remember that WE LOVE YOU!

Dennis Simsek

Zoella you are a true inspiration and with so much of the world suffering from anxiety, your anxiety videos are ones that sufferers can certainly relate to and draw energy from. I’d like to invite you to the anxiety guy youtube channel and to recognize how we are making changes in peoples lives daily. Much love and hope to connect in the future: https://goo.gl/NhUdxi

Frankie Matthews

Hi Zoe, my name is frankie Matthews and i am originally from Birmingham but I live in Devon and I am 12 years old and I suffer with anxiety and panic attacks just like you and I wondered if you could give me some advice on how to cope with school. The last few weeks of year 7 there was a girl that started to bully be because of my anxiety and I told a lot o the teachers what she was doing to me and they said it wasn’t right but they never did anything about it. And now I get abusive messages. But people don’t understand what I’m going through and it really doesn’t help that I am going through a really rough stage with my family and I don’t really need people bullying me and saying nasty things to me. I love reading your blogs and I love watching your YouTube vidioes as well ❤️

Ella Bella

Hi Zoe!
I just wanted to say that I love all your blogs as they are really relatable and you write them in such a beautiful way. I don’t have anxiety but I do struggle sometimes and have a very very minor depression. I really find these blogs helpful and they have a very positive impact on my life,
Love you lots,
Ella xxx

Amelia

hi Zoe, i have a lot of trouble with anxiety and this has helped alot! i hope this helps others to.

Lauren Barlow

Hi Zoella, I loved reading this. I know a few people that suffer and even myself from time to time. x

Rosie

zoe you inspire me and since i have watched you my life has changed from sad and scared to happy and joyful even though you will most likely never see this i would just like to thank you for changing my life to happiness

Amaea Petera

Hey Zoe, I feel that this certain blog gives me an understanding of anxiety and panic attacks. Last year I always thought, ‘Anxiety can’t be that bad, it’s easy to handle, right? ‘ But since this blog and your YouTube channel came out with your anxiety I found a new meaning and point of view on how anxiety and panic can pull you back and technically stop you from living a healthy, happy life. Zoe you’re a great inspiration and idol, thank you for teaching me new ways and understandings.

Elena

Dear Zoe, it might be too odd to say that you are my biggest inspiration and I totally admire you as a person. I am 17 and I have been struggling with my anxiety the past year. I had massive problems with my stomach and I’ve went to so many doctors only to be told that it is all phycological. I refused to get help and the days just started getting harder and harder. I currently read the series of girl online ( I know a bit late) but I felt so much like Penny and this just reminded me that there are actually other people feeling the same way I do. I reached out for help and I am now seeing a therapist. When the day is bad and when I feel like nothing is working, I just watch your videos or read your blog. It just makes me feel so much more optimistic about life and the days that are to come. I love the fact that I can call you my rolemodel. You inspired me to start writing my own blog to just get things off me. Seeing this post I was encouraged to write a bit of my anxiety story on my blog. You are truly an inspiration.
lots of love, Elena x

Thank you for those inspiring words. I have dealt with anxiety for many years myself and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) has been a HUGE help. It’s amazing that even though you were anxious, you still did the things you were afraid of. That is the only way you can truly overcome anxiety! A lot of people think they are stuck with it and will not enjoy things like that used to, but its not true. It’s not an easy path by any means, but it is a necessary path. Once you overcome it, you will be mentally stronger than you have EVER been before. I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey!

You’re are seriously so inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story 😊

Dennis Simsek

Such a great blog post and inspiration for so many with anxiety. I am a CBT therapist and use Neuro Linguistic Programming with my clients who have great success like you. I will send my clients to this post for that little bit of extra inspiration :) Keep up the amazing posts and videos. It’s so great to follow you on your journey to self mastery!

Hey Zoe I just wanted to say that this made me cry because of how inspiring you are, I’m going to continue fighting my anxiety because I believe I can and I will. I want to be just like you one day and be a role model to people like me, you really are the most inspiring person I know and if I knew you in real life I would be there for you and understand what you’re going through, I know I wont be exactly like you but I want to be myself and do what I love. don’t give up on anything, I mean it. I’m so proud of you xxx Internet Girl x
P.s. if ya wanna check out my blog its https://girlontheinternet44.blogspot.com.au/ xxxxx love you Zoe x

Alice

Hi!
Firstly I say I’m an Italian girl so I apologize if I’m going to do some mistakes (at the outside you’ll have a good laugh 😝).
Zoe, I’ve find out your blog thanks to my sister who has often talked to me about you and she adviced me to read this in order to help me to deal with my panick attacks. You know, I have some up and down too about my anxiety and I was quite demoralised and I feared I could feel ill like I used to 1 or 2 years ago. Though, thanks to you and your words I feel a bit stronger than before 💚. I want to try hard to learn how to deal with anxiety better and better as you did.
I’d like to thank you and to give props to you for your strength and your determination,
Alice

Sophie

i have depression and social anxiety, reading how much hard work you put in order to change inspires me and supports me to make my first step too, to see a psychiatrist . mental illnesses are real, despite that many of us who struggle can’t find people around that aknowledge this fact .

Freya MASTERSON

I love Zoe so much!

Mandi Margaret

This post is so incredibly inspiring! I’ve had anxiety since 1st grade, it used to consume me. I did exaclty what you did though, saw a therapist, worked a lot on it, and most importantly learned how to push! I was sick of looking back and seeing how my anxiety held me back. It does still creep on me but like you said, we all deal with it some way and we know our triggers and whatnot, we can beat it! Thank you so much for sharing!http://www.themagicallymundane.wordpress.com

The Sad Effect

I can so relate to your words!! Well said that anxiety is not who we are but I still struggle understanding that. I started writing about my experience, you can all find my writings here: thesadeffect.blogspot.com

Michaela Dobbie

I love this post. I feel it will help all those who are suffering from things like anxiety and depression and love that you, Zoe were able to put a word out there to helps those people!

Anna Crew

I think i have a small anxiety problem, it started when i needed to choose my GCSEs. I just don’t know what to pick. Reading this blog really helps me calm down. I know you probably won’t see this, but thanks Zoe x.